Sterile chromatography and manufacturing processes

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are methods of performing chromatography with gamma-irradiated chromatography resin that include providing a chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin; performing a first cycle of chromatography through the column, where the cycle includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer; and performing at least one additional cycle of chromatography through the column. Also provided are integrated, closed or substantially closed, and continuous processes for manufacturing of a recombinant protein that include the use of at least one chromatography column including gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, where the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin is exposed to denaturing buffer during each cycle in the process, and reduced bioburden buffer is used in the process.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/928,906, filed on Jan. 17, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods of biotechnology and the biomanufacturing of recombinant proteins.

BACKGROUND

Mammalian cells including a nucleic acid that encodes a recombinant protein are often used to produce therapeutically or commercially important proteins. In the current environment of diverse product pipelines, biotechnology companies are increasingly driven to develop innovative solutions for highly flexible and cost-effective manufacturing of therapeutic protein drug substances. One of the strategies for efficiently isolating recombinant proteins is through processes that include continuous chromatography (e.g., using a closed system). One known limitation of continuous chromatography is the presence of contaminating agents in the system (e.g., increased bioburden), which results in a contaminated product, a reduction in the production yield, and a decrease in the flow-rate (or increase in the pressure) in the system. For example, the increased bioburden within a system can result in the complete shut down of the system.

SUMMARY

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that gamma-irradiation of chromatography resin results in a decrease in the binding capacity of the resin (e.g., a steady decrease in the binding capacity of the resin over multiple cycles of chromatography), and that the binding capacity of the gamma-irradiated resin can be recovered by exposing the resin to a denaturing buffer. In view of this discovery, provided herein are methods of performing chromatography with gamma-irradiated chromatography resin that include providing a chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin; performing a first cycle of chromatography through the column, where the cycle includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer; and performing at least one additional cycle of chromatography through the column. Also provided are integrated, closed or substantially closed, and continuous processes for manufacturing of a recombinant protein that include the use of at least one chromatography column including gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, where the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin is exposed to denaturing buffer during each cycle in the process, and reduced bioburden buffer is used in the process. Any of the methods and processes described herein can be reduced bioburden, sterile, aseptic, or absolutely sterile methods or processes (as defined herein). Any of the methods and processes described herein can be a combination of aseptic and reduced bioburden, sterile, or absolutely sterile.

Provided herein are methods of performing chromatography with gamma-irradiated chromatography resin that include: (a) providing a chromatography column containing a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin; (b) performing a first cycle of chromatography through the column, wherein the cycle includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer; and (c) performing at least one additional cycle of chromatography through the column. In some embodiments of these methods, performing the cycles in (b) and/or (c) includes the steps of: (a) capturing a recombinant protein by exposing the chromatography resin with a liquid containing a recombinant protein; (b) washing the chromatography resin by exposing the chromatography resin with a wash buffer; (c) eluting the recombinant protein by exposing the chromatography resin with an elution buffer; and (d) regenerating the chromatography resin by exposing the chromatography resin to the denaturing buffer.

In some examples of any of the methods described herein, the liquid containing a recombinant protein is a liquid culture medium. In some embodiments of any of the methods described herein, the cycles in (b) and (c) are performed using a closed and integrated system. In some examples of any of the methods described herein, the buffer is reduced bioburden buffer (e.g., a reduced bioburden buffer prepared by filtration).

In some examples of any of the methods described herein, the denaturing buffer includes one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100. In some embodiments of any of the methods described herein, the cycle of (b) further includes exposing the chromatography resin to wash buffer including about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to the denaturing buffer. In some embodiments where an affinity chromatography resin including a protein ligand is used, the cycle of (b) further includes exposing the chromatography resin to wash buffer including about 1 mM to about 100 mM sodium hydroxide. In some examples of any of the methods described herein, the column is part of a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS) (e.g., a periodic counter current chromatography system (PCCS).

In some embodiments of any of the methods described herein, the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin, cationic exchange chromatography resin, size exclusion chromatography resin, hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin, affinity chromatography resin, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin.

In some examples of any of the methods described herein, the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 10 kGy to about 40 kGy (e.g., between about 15 kGy to about 35 kGy, or between about 20 kGy to about 30 kGy). In some embodiments of any of the methods described herein, four or more (e.g., nine or more, fourteen or more, nineteen or more, twenty-four or more, twenty-nine or more, or thirty-nine or more) additional cycles of chromatography are performed. In some examples of any of the methods described herein, step (c) is performed over a period of at least 4 days (e.g., at least 5 days, at least 7 days, at least 14 days, or at least 28 days). In some examples of any of the methods described herein, the recombinant protein is a recombinant therapeutic protein.

Also provided are integrated, closed or substantially closed, and continuous processes for manufacturing of a purified recombinant protein that include: (a) providing a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein that is substantially free of cells; and (b) continuously feeding the liquid culture medium into a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS) including at least one chromatography column containing gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, wherein the chromatography resin is exposed during each cycle to denaturing buffer; where the process utilizes reduced bioburden buffer, is integrated, and runs continuously from the liquid culture medium to an eluate from the MCCS that is the purified recombinant protein. In some embodiments of these processes, the MCCS performs at least two different unit operations. In some examples of any of the processes described herein the MCCS involves column switching. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, all of the columns in the MCCS contain gamma-irradiated chromatography resin.

In some examples of any the processes described herein, the MCCS performs the unit operations of capturing the recombinant protein and inactivating viruses, or the unit operations of capturing and purifying the recombinant protein. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS is a periodic counter current chromatography system. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS includes a plurality of columns for affinity chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, where the MCCS includes a column for affinity chromatography, and the affinity chromatography is performed with a capture mechanism selected from the group consisting of: protein A-binding capture mechanism, substrate-binding capture mechanism, antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, aptamer-binding capture mechanism, and cofactor-binding capture mechanism. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the affinity chromatography is performed with a protein-A binding capture mechanism, and the recombinant protein is an antibody or an antibody fragment. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the recombinant protein is a therapeutic recombinant protein. Some embodiments of any of the processes described herein further include formulating the purified recombinant protein into a pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the denaturing buffer includes one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the chromatography resin is exposed to wash buffer including about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to denaturing buffer in each cycle.

Also provided are integrated, closed or substantially closed, and continuous processes for manufacturing of a recombinant protein that include: (a) providing a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein that is substantially free of cells; (b) continuously feeding the liquid culture medium into a first multi-column chromatography system (MCCS1); (c) capturing the recombinant protein from the liquid culture medium using the MCCS1; (d) producing an eluate from the MCCS1 that includes the recombinant protein and continuously feeding the eluate into a second multi-column chromatography system (MCCS2); (e) continuously feeding the recombinant protein from the eluate into the MCCS2 and subsequently eluting the recombinant protein to thereby produce the purified recombinant protein, where: the process utilizes reduced bioburden buffer, is integrated, and runs continuously from the liquid culture medium to the purified recombinant protein, and at least one column in the MCCS1 and/or MCCS2 is a chromatography column containing gamma-irradiated chromatography resin and the chromatography resin is exposed to denaturing buffer during each cycle in the process. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS1 and/or the MCCS2 performs at least two different unit operations. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the use of the MCCS1 or the MCCS2, or both, involves column switching.

In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS1 further performs the unit operations of capturing the recombinant protein and inactivating viruses. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS2 performs the unit operations of purifying and polishing the recombinant protein. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS1 and/or MCCS2 utilizes at least two chromatography columns. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, all of the chromatography column(s) in MCCS1 and MCCS2 are chromatography columns containing gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS1 is a first periodic counter current chromatography system (PCCS1). In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the capturing is performed using affinity chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, or size exclusion chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, or any combination thereof. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the capturing is performed using affinity chromatography with a capture mechanism selected from the group of: protein A-binding capture mechanism, substrate-binding capture mechanism, antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, aptamer-binding capture mechanism, and cofactor-binding capture mechanism. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the affinity chromatography is performed with a protein A-binding capture mechanism, and the recombinant protein is an antibody or an antibody fragment.

In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the MCCS2 is a second periodic counter current (PCCS2) chromatography system. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the recombinant protein is a therapeutic recombinant protein. Some embodiments of any of the processes described herein further include formulating the purified recombinant protein into a pharmaceutical composition. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the process is performed continuously for a period of at least 4 days (e.g., at least 5 days, at least 7 days, at least 14 days, or at least 28 days).

In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin, cationic exchange chromatography resin, size exclusion chromatography resin, hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin, affinity chromatography resin, or any combination thereof. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin. In some examples of any of the processes described herein, the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 10 kGy to about 40 kGy (e.g., between about 15 kGy to about 35 kGy, or between about 20 kGy to about 30 kGy). In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the denaturing buffer includes one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein, the chromatography resin is exposed to a wash buffer including about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to the denaturing buffer. In some embodiments of any of the processes described herein where the chromatography resin is an affinity resin with a protein ligand (e.g., a protein A ligand), the chromatography resin is exposed to a wash buffer including between about 1 mM to about 100 mM sodium hydroxide following exposure to the denaturing buffer.

As used herein, the word “a” before a noun represents one or more of the particular noun. For example, the phrase “a chromatography column” represents “one or more chromatography columns.”

The term “gamma-irradiated chromatography resin” means a chromatography resin that has been exposed to gamma-irradiation. For example, a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be a chromatography resin exposed to an amount of gamma-irradiation sufficient to reduce the bioburden of the chromatography resin. In some examples, a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin has been exposed to a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 15 kGy, a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 20 kGy gamma-irradiation, a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 25 kGy gamma-irradiation, a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 30 kGy gamma-irradiation, or a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 35 kGy gamma-irradiation. A gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can have a sterility assurance level of about or less than 1×10⁻⁶, 1×10⁻⁷, 1×10⁻⁸, 1×10⁻⁹, or 1×10⁻¹⁰. Exemplary methods for gamma-irradiating a chromatography resin are described herein. Additional methods for gamma-irradiating a chromatography resin are known in the art.

The term “chromatography column containing, including, or comprising a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin” means a chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin (as defined herein). For example, such a chromatography column can include a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin that has been exposed to a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 15 kGy, a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 20 kGy gamma-irradiation, a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 25 kGy gamma-irradiation, a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 30 kGy gamma-irradiation, or a dose of between about 1 kGy to about 35 kGy gamma-irradiation. For example, such a chromatography column can contain a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin having a sterility assurance level of about or less than 1×10⁻⁶, 1×10⁻⁷, 1×10⁻⁸, 1×10⁻⁹, or 1×10⁻¹⁰. In some embodiments, the chromatography column containing, including, or comprising a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin has a reduced bioburden, or is sterile, absolutely sterile, or aseptic (as defined herein) (i.e., the interior surfaces and contents of the chromatography column containing, including, or comprising a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin has reduced bioburden, is sterile, is absolutely sterile, or is aseptic). In some embodiments, the chromatography column containing, including, or comprising a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin is aseptic and has a reduced bioburden, is sterile, or is absolutely sterile.

The term “denaturing buffer” means a liquid including a sufficient amount of one or more chemical agents (e.g., detergent(s), reductant(s), acid(s), base(s), chaotropic agent(s), organic solvent(s), or crosslinking agent(s), or any combination thereof) that result in the denaturation of a protein. Non-limiting examples of denaturing buffers are described herein. Additional examples of denaturing wash buffers are known in the art. Methods for detecting protein denaturation are also well-known in the art (e.g., detecting protein denaturation directly (e.g., spectroscopy) or indirectly (e.g., through protein activity (e.g., enzymatic activity or protein binding activity) assay(s)). Non-limiting examples of methods for detecting protein denaturation are described herein. In any of the methods or processes described herein, a denaturing buffer can be used to regenerate a chromatography column including a gamma-sterilized chromatography resin (e.g., any of the chromatography resin or combination or chromatography resins described herein).

The term “reduced bioburden buffer” means a treated (e.g., filtered, autoclaved, or gamma-irradiated) liquid (e.g., a treated buffered solution) that has a level of self-replicating biological contaminating agent(s) that is less than the level of self-replicating biological contaminating agent(s) found in an identical untreated liquid. Non-limiting examples of self-replicating biological contaminants can be bacteria (e.g., Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, or bacterial or fungal spores), mycobacteria, viruses (e.g., a vesivirus, a Cache Valley virus, a parvovirus, a herpes virus, and a bunyavirus), parasites, fungi, yeast, and protozoa. For example, a reduced bioburden buffer can have a sterility assurance level of about or less than 1×10⁻⁶, 1×10⁻⁷, 1×10⁻⁸, 1×10⁻⁹, or 1×10⁻¹°.

“Absolute sterility” or “absolutely sterile” are terms used to describe a composition or process that is/are completely free of self-replicating biological contaminants. For example, the term can apply to a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, the interior surface and contents (e.g., chromatography resin) of a chromatography column, and/or a buffer. An absolutely sterile composition or process can be clean (as that term is known in the art).

“Sterile” or “sterility” are terms used to describe a composition or process that have a sterility assurance level of about or less than 1.0×10⁻⁶ (e.g., about or less than 1.0×10⁻⁷, about or less than 1.0×10⁻⁸, about or less than 1.0×10⁻⁹, or 1×10⁻¹⁰). The determination of whether a composition or process is sterile can be tested using a number of validated production processes known in the art. For example, a sterile composition or process can be completely free of viable self-replicating biological contaminants (e.g., any of the self-replicating biological contaminants described herein). A sterile composition or process can also be clean (as that term is known in the art).

The term “sterilization” means a validated process used to render a composition sterile (as defined herein). The inactivation rate of resistant indicator self-replicating biological contaminants (e.g., bacteria) during a treatment process can be measured in order to determine whether sterility (as defined herein) has been achieved for a composition.

The term “sterility assurance level” or “SAL” is art-known and means a level of confidence of achieving absolute sterility within a batch of treated units. The probability is usually calculated based on the results of inactivation studies performed during validation and expressed in the form of 1×10^(−n).

The term “aseptic” is used to describe a composition or process that is free of disease-causing or symptom-causing self-replicating biological contaminants and/or proteins (e.g., any of the self-replicating biological contaminants described herein, toxins (e.g., endotoxins), or inflammatory proteins). An aseptic composition or process can also be clean (as that term is known in the art).

The term “cycle of chromatography” or “chromatography cycle” is a term of art and means all the steps performed in a single round of chromatography using a single chromatography column. For example, a cycle of chromatography can include a step of equilibrating a chromatography column with a buffer, passing a sample including a recombinant protein through the chromatography column, eluting the recombinant protein from the chromatography column, and washing the chromatography column by passing a denaturing buffer through the column. Additional examples of steps performed in a cycle of chromatography are described herein. Further examples of steps performed in a cycle of chromatography are also well known in the art.

The term “unit operation” is a term of art and means a functional step that can be performed in a process of purifying a recombinant protein from a liquid culture medium. For example, a unit of operation can be filtering (e.g., removal of contaminant bacteria, yeast, viruses, or mycobacteria, and/or particulate matter from a fluid including a recombinant protein), capturing, epitope tag removal, purifying, holding or storing, polishing, virus inactivating, adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a fluid including the recombinant protein, and removing unwanted salts.

The term “capturing” means a step performed to partially purify or isolate (e.g., at least or about 5%, e.g., at least or about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or at least or about 95% pure by weight) and concentrate a recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant therapeutic protein) from one or more other components present in a liquid culture medium or a diluted liquid culture medium (e.g., culture medium proteins or one or more other components (e.g., DNA, RNA, or other proteins) present in or secreted from a mammalian cell). Typically, capturing is performed using a chromatography resin that binds a recombinant protein (e.g., through the use of affinity chromatography). Non-limiting methods for capturing a recombinant protein from a liquid culture medium or diluted liquid culture medium are described herein and others are known in the art. A recombinant protein can be captured from a liquid culture medium using at least one chromatography column and/or chromatographic membrane (e.g., any of the chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes described herein).

The term “purifying” means a step performed to isolate a recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant therapeutic protein) from one or more other impurities (e.g., bulk impurities) or components present in a fluid including a recombinant protein (e.g., liquid culture medium proteins or one or more other components (e.g., DNA, RNA, other proteins, endotoxins, viruses, etc.) present in or secreted from a mammalian cell). For example, purifying can be performed during or after an initial capturing step. Purification can be performed using a chromatography resin, membrane, or any other solid support that binds either a recombinant protein or contaminants (e.g., through the use of affinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, anion or cation exchange chromatography, or molecular sieve chromatography). A recombinant protein can be purified from a fluid including the recombinant protein using at least one chromatography column and/or chromatographic membrane (e.g., any of the chromatography columns or chromatographic membranes described herein).

The term “polishing” is a term of art and means a step performed to remove remaining trace or small amounts of contaminants or impurities from a fluid including a recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant therapeutic protein) that is close to a final desired purity. For example, polishing can be performed by passing a fluid including the recombinant protein through a chromatographic column(s) or membrane absorber(s) that selectively binds to either the target recombinant protein or small amounts of contaminants or impurities present in a fluid including a recombinant protein. In such an example, the eluate/filtrate of the chromatographic column(s) or membrane absorber(s) includes the recombinant protein.

The term “filtering” means the removal of at least part of (e.g., at least 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%) undesired biological contaminants (e.g., a mammalian cell, bacteria, yeast cells, viruses, or mycobacteria) and/or particulate matter (e.g., precipitated proteins) from a liquid (e.g., a liquid culture medium or fluid present in any of the processes described herein).

The term “eluate/filtrate” is a term of art and means a fluid that is emitted from a chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a detectable amount of a recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant therapeutic protein).

The term “integrated process” means a process which is performed using structural elements that function cooperatively to achieve a specific result (e.g., the purification of a recombinant protein from a liquid culture medium).

The term “continuous process” means a process which continuously feeds fluid through at least a part of the system. For example, a continuous process is a process which continuously feeds a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein from a bioreactor through a MCCS. Another example of a continuous process is a process which continuously feeds a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein from a bioreactor through a first and second MCCS (MCCS1 and MCCS2). Additional examples include a process which continuously feeds a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein through a MCCS, a process that continuously feeds a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein through a MCCS1 and a MCCS2, or a process that continuously feeds a fluid including a recombinant protein through a MCCS2.

The term “closed process” is a term of art and means a process that is performed such that components of the process (e.g., chromatography resins and/or buffers) that come into contact with the recombinant protein or liquids including the recombinant protein are not intentionally exposed to contaminating agents for a significant period of time (e.g., not intentionally air-exposed for a significant period of time).

The term “therapeutic protein drug substance” means a recombinant protein (e.g., an immunoglobulin, protein fragment, engineered protein, or enzyme) that has been sufficiently purified or isolated from contaminating proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (e.g., contaminating proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids present in a liquid culture medium or from a host cell (e.g., from a mammalian, yeast, or bacterial host cell)) and biological contaminants (e.g., viral and bacterial contaminants), and can be formulated into a pharmaceutical agent without any further substantial purification and/or decontamination step(s).

The term “multi-column chromatography system” or “MCCS” means a system of a total of two or more interconnected or switching chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes. A non-limiting example of a multi-column chromatography system is a periodic counter current chromatography system (PCC) including a total of two or more interconnected or switching chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes. Additional examples of multi-column chromatography systems are described herein and are known in the art.

The term “substantially free” means a composition (e.g., a liquid culture medium) that is at least or about 90% free (e.g., at least or about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or at least or about 99% free, or about 100% free) of a specified substance (e.g., a mammalian cell or a contaminating protein, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, or lipid form a mammalian cell).

The term “mammalian cell” means any cell from or derived from any mammal (e.g., a human, a hamster, a mouse, a green monkey, a rat, a pig, a cow, or a rabbit). For example, a mammalian cell can be an immortalized cell. In some embodiments, the mammalian cell is a differentiated cell. In some embodiments, the mammalian cell is an undifferentiated cell. Non-limiting examples of mammalian cells are described herein. Additional examples of mammalian cells are known in the art.

The term “culturing” or “cell culturing” means the maintenance or proliferation of a mammalian cell under a controlled set of physical conditions.

The term “culture of mammalian cells” means a liquid culture medium including a plurality of mammalian cells that is maintained or proliferated under a controlled set of physical conditions.

The term “liquid culture medium” means a fluid that includes sufficient nutrients to allow a cell (e.g., a mammalian cell) to grow or proliferate in vitro. For example, a liquid culture medium can include one or more of: amino acids (e.g., 20 amino acids), a purine (e.g., hypoxanthine), a pyrimidine (e.g., thymidine), choline, inositol, thiamine, folic acid, biotin, calcium, niacinamide, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thymidine, cyanocobalamin, pyruvate, lipoic acid, magnesium, glucose, sodium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, and sodium bicarbonate. In some embodiments, a liquid culture medium can include serum from a mammal. In some embodiments, a liquid culture medium does not include serum or another extract from a mammal (a defined liquid culture medium). In some embodiments, a liquid culture medium can include trace metals, a mammalian growth hormone, and/or a mammalian growth factor. Another example of liquid culture medium is minimal medium (e.g., a medium including only inorganic salts, a carbon source, and water). Non-limiting examples of liquid culture medium are described herein. Additional examples of liquid culture medium are known in the art and are commercially available. A liquid culture medium can include any density of mammalian cells. For example, as used herein, a volume of liquid culture medium removed from a bioreactor can be substantially free of mammalian cells.

The term “animal-derived component free liquid culture medium” means a liquid culture medium that does not include any components (e.g., proteins or serum) derived from a mammal.

The term “serum-free liquid culture medium” means a liquid culture medium that does not include a mammalian serum.

The term “serum-containing liquid culture medium” means a liquid culture medium that includes a mammalian serum.

The term “chemically-defined liquid culture medium” is a term of art and means a liquid culture medium in which all of the chemical components are known. For example, a chemically-defined liquid culture medium does not include fetal bovine serum, bovine serum albumin, or human serum albumin, as these preparations typically include a complex mix of albumins and lipids.

The term “protein-free liquid culture medium” means a liquid culture medium that does not include any protein (e.g., any detectable protein).

The term “immunoglobulin” means a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence of at least 15 amino acids (e.g., at least 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 amino acids) of an immunoglobulin protein (e.g., a variable domain sequence, a framework sequence, and/or a constant domain sequence). The immunoglobulin may, for example, include at least 15 amino acids of a light chain immunoglobulin, e.g., at least 15 amino acids of a heavy chain immunoglobulin. The immunoglobulin may be an isolated antibody (e.g., an IgG, IgE, IgD, IgA, or IgM), e.g., a subclass of IgG (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4). The immunoglobulin may be an antibody fragment, e.g., a Fab fragment, a F(ab′)2 fragment, or an a scFv fragment. The immunoglobulin may also be a bi-specific antibody or a tri-specific antibody, or a dimer, trimer, or multimer antibody, or a diabody, an Affibody®, or a Nanobody®. The immunoglobulin can also be an engineered protein including at least one immunoglobulin domain (e.g., a fusion protein). Non-limiting examples of immunoglobulins are described herein and additional examples of immunoglobulins are known in the art.

The term “protein fragment” or “polypeptide fragment” means a portion of a polypeptide sequence that is at least or about 4 amino acids, at least or about 5 amino acids, at least or about 6 amino acids, at least or about 7 amino acids, at least or about 8 amino acids, at least or about 9 amino acids, at least or about 10 amino acids, at least or about 11 amino acids, at least or about 12 amino acids, at least or about 13 amino acids, at least or about 14 amino acids, at least or about 15 amino acids, at least or about 16 amino acids, at least or about 17 amino acids, at least or about 18 amino acids, at least or about 19 amino acids, or at least or about 20 amino acids in length, or more than 20 amino acids in length. A recombinant protein fragment can be produced using any of the processes described herein.

The term “engineered protein” means a polypeptide that is not naturally encoded by an endogenous nucleic acid present within an organism (e.g., a mammal). Examples of engineered proteins include enzymes (e.g., with one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, or additions that result in an increase in stability and/or catalytic activity of the engineered enzyme), fusion proteins, antibodies (e.g., divalent antibodies, trivalent antibodies, or a diabody), and antigen-binding proteins that include at least one recombinant scaffolding sequence.

The term “secreted protein” or “secreted recombinant protein” means a protein (e.g., a recombinant protein) that originally included at least one secretion signal sequence when it is translated within a mammalian cell, and through, at least in part, enzymatic cleavage of the secretion signal sequence in the mammalian cell, is secreted at least partially into the extracellular space (e.g., a liquid culture medium). Skilled practitioners will appreciate that a “secreted” protein need not dissociate entirely from the cell to be considered a secreted protein.

The term “perfusion bioreactor” means a bioreactor including a plurality of cells (e.g., mammalian cells) in a first liquid culture medium, wherein the culturing of the cells present in the bioreactor includes periodic or continuous removal of the first liquid culture medium and at the same time or shortly thereafter adding substantially the same volume of a second liquid culture medium to the bioreactor. In some examples, there is an incremental change (e.g., increase or decrease) in the volume of the first liquid culture medium removed and added over incremental periods (e.g., an about 24-hour period, a period of between about 1 minute and about 24-hours, or a period of greater than 24 hours) during the culturing period (e.g., the culture medium refeed rate on a daily basis). The fraction of media removed and replaced each day can vary depending on the particular cells being cultured, the initial seeding density, and the cell density at a particular time. “RV” or “reactor volume” means the volume of the culture medium present at the beginning of the culturing process (e.g., the total volume of the culture medium present after seeding).

The term “fed-batch bioreactor” is a term of art and means a bioreactor including a plurality of cells (e.g., mammalian cells) in a first liquid culture medium, wherein the culturing of the cells present in the bioreactor includes the periodic or continuous addition of a second liquid culture medium to the first liquid culture medium without substantial or significant removal of the first liquid culture medium or second liquid culture medium from the cell culture. The second liquid culture medium can be the same as the first liquid culture medium. In some examples of fed-batch culture, the second liquid culture medium is a concentrated form of the first liquid culture medium. In some examples of fed-batch culture, the second liquid culture medium is added as a dry powder.

The term “clarified liquid culture medium” means a liquid culture medium obtained from a bacterial or yeast cell culture that is substantially free (e.g., at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 98%, or 99% free) of bacteria or yeast cells.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Methods and materials are described herein for use in the present invention; other, suitable methods and materials known in the art can also be used. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. All publications, patent applications, patents, sequences, database entries, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and figures, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is graph of the binding isotherms at t0 of untreated (virgin) multimodal resin with anionic exchange and hydrophobic groups (AE resin) and 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin (without chromatography cycles).

FIG. 2 is a graph of the percentage normalized binding capacity of virgin (untreated) AE resin, 15 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin, and 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin over multiple cycles of column chromatography, when a buffer of 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH is used to wash each resin (after elution of the recombinant protein) in each cycle. The percentage binding capacity of each resin is normalized to the binding capacity of virgin (untreated) AE resin at time 0 (t0), which was also found to be very similar to gamma-irradiated resin at t0 (27±2 mg/mL).

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the mean rate of drop in binding capacity over multiple cycles of column chromatography for virgin (untreated) AE resin, 15 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin, and 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE, when a buffer of 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH is used to wash each resin (after elution of the recombinant protein) in each cycle.

FIG. 4 is a graph of the percentage normalized binding capacity of virgin (untreated) AE resin over multiple cycles of column chromatography using a single chromatography column including virgin (untreated) AE resin washed with 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH after elution of the recombinant protein in each cycle (low pH arginine virgin), or using a single chromatography column including 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin washed after elution of the recombinant protein (in each cycle) with 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5 (low pH urea); 6 M guanidine HCl (pH 2.5) (low pH guanidine); 0.5% Triton-X 100 in 0.1 M acetic acid (pH 2.5) followed by 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) (low pH Triton); 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0) (low pH arginine); or 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) (low pH organic), each followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH. The percentage binding capacity of each resin over each cycle was normalized to the binding capacity of virgin (untreated) AE resin at time 0 (t0), which was also found to be very similar to gamma-irradiated resin at t0 (27±2 mg/mL).

FIG. 5 is a representative chromatograph profile from a multi-column chromatography (MCC) run showing the eluate absorbance at 280 nm over multiple cycles of column chromatography performed using three chromatography columns including 25 kGy irradiated AE resin, when 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5, followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH is used to wash each resin (after elution of recombinant protein) in each cycle. The peaks representing the bound protein released from the AE resin during exposure to the 8M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5 denaturing buffer in three different cycles are indicated with an arrow. The chromatograph shows the UV trace for all three chromatography columns used to perform the MCC run.

FIG. 6 is a graph of the percentage recovered recombinant protein bound to the chromatography resin per cycle over multiple cycles of column chromatography using a single chromatography column including virgin (untreated) AE resin washed with 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH after elution of the recombinant protein in each cycle (low pH arginine virgin), or using a single chromatography column including 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin washed after elution of the recombinant protein (in each cycle) with 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5 (low pH urea); 6 M guanidine HCl (pH 2.5) (low pH guanidine); 0.5% Triton-X 100 in 0.1 M acetic acid (pH 2.5) followed by 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) (low pH Triton); or 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) (low pH organic); each followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH.

FIG. 7 is a graph of the host cell protein (ng/mg) present in eluate over multiple cycles of column chromatography using a single chromatography column including virgin (untreated) AE resin washed with 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH after elution of the recombinant protein in each cycle (low pH arginine virgin), or using a single chromatography column including 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin washed after elution of the recombinant protein (in each cycle) with 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5 (low pH urea); 6 M guanidine HCl (pH 2.5) (low pH guanidine); 0.5% Triton-X 100 in 0.1 M acetic acid (pH 2.5) followed by 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) (low pH Triton); or 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) (low pH organic); each followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH.

FIG. 8 is list of lysosomal storage diseases and the recombinant therapeutic enzyme that can be used to treat each disease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein are methods of performing chromatography with gamma-irradiated chromatography resin that include providing a chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin and performing a first cycle of chromatography through the column, where the cycle includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer. Also provided are processes integrated, closed or substantially closed, and continuous processes for manufacturing of a recombinant protein that include the use of at least one chromatography column including gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, where the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin is exposed to denaturing buffer during each cycle in the process, and reduced bioburden buffer is used in the process. Non-limiting aspects of these methods and processes are described below. As can be appreciated in the art, the various aspects described below can be used in any combination without limitation.

Gamma-Irradiated Chromatography Resin

A wide variety of different types of chromatography resin known in the art (or combinations thereof) can be exposed to gamma-irradiation using methods known in the art. For example, an isotope such as Cobalt-60 or Caesium-137 is used as the source of gamma-rays. The chromatography resin that is exposed to gamma-irradiation can be present in a packed chromatography column. In other examples, the chromatography resin that is exposed to gamma-irradiation is present in a sealed container (e.g., a slurry in a sealed container).

The chromatography resin can be exposed to gamma-irradiation at a temperature of about between about −25° C. and about 0° C., inclusive, or between about 0° C. and about 25° C., inclusive. The chromagraphy resin can be exposed to a dose of gamma-irradiation of between about 0.1 kGy to about 100 kGy, between about 1 kGy to about 100 kGy, between about 1 kGy to about 90 kGy, between about 1 kGy to about 80 kGy, between about 1 kGy to about 70 kGy, between about 1 kGy to about 65 kGy, between about 5 kGy to about 65 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 60 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 55 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 50 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 45 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 40 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 35 kGy, between about 10 kGy to about 30 kGy, between about 15 kGy to about 50 kGy, between about 15 kGy to about 45 kGy, between about 15 kGy to about 40 kGy, between about 15 kGy to about 35 kGy, or between about 20 kGy to about 30 kGy.

The gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be an anionic exchange chromatography resin, cationic exchange chromatography resin, size exclusion chromatography resin, hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin, affinity chromatography resin, or any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of affinity chromatography resin include resins with a peptide ligand, a protein ligand (e.g., protein A or protein G), an aptamer ligand, a substrate ligand, a product ligand, a metal ligand, and a cofactor ligand. A gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be a bimodal chromatography resin (e.g., with the features of anionic exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin).

Chromatography Columns Including Gamma-Irradiated Chromatography Resin

The methods described herein include the use of a chromatography column including gamma-irradiated chromatography resin and the processes described herein include the use of one or two MCCSs that include at least one chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. The gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be any type of resin described herein (or any type of chromatography resin known in the art). The gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be prepared using any of the methods described herein or known in the art.

Such chromatography columns can be produced by packing a chromatography column with an untreated chromatography resin(s), and exposing the packed column to gamma-irradiation (e.g., using any of the exposures and conditions described herein). In other examples, chromatography columns including a gamma-irradiated resin(s) can be produced by exposing the chromatography resin to gamma-irradiation (e.g., chromatography resin provided in a container) and packing a chromatography column with the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. In such methods, the chromatography resin that is exposed to gamma-irradiation can be present as a slurry in the container, and the chromatography column is packed in a reduced bioburden hood. In other methods, the chromatography resin can be exposed to gamma-irradiation as a solid mixture in the container, and a slurry of the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be prepared using a reduced bioburden buffer (e.g., prepared in a reduced bioburden hood), and the resulting slurry used to pack a chromatography column in a reduced bioburden hood. In some of these examples, the chromatography column, prior to packing, can be treated to reduce the bioburden (e.g., autoclaved, gamma-irradiated, or exposure to ethylene oxide).

The chromatography column including gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can have a sterility assurance level (SAL) of between about 1×10⁻³ and about 1×10⁻¹², between about 1×10⁻⁴ and about 1×10⁻¹², between 1×10⁻⁵ and about 1×10⁻¹¹, between about 1×10⁻⁵ and about 1×10⁻¹⁰, between about 1×10⁻⁵ and about 1×10⁻⁹, between about 1×10⁻⁶ and about 1×10⁻⁹, or between about 1×10⁻⁶ and about 1×10⁻⁸, inclusive.

Reduced Bioburden Buffers

The methods and processes described herein can be performed using one or more reduced bioburden buffers. As can be appreciated in the art, a reduced bioburden buffer can be any type of buffer used in a cycle of chromatography (e.g., a buffer used in any of the steps in a cycle of chromatography or in any of the unit operations described herein). Exemplary methods for reducing the bioburden of a buffer include filtration (0.2 μm-pore size filtration), autoclaving, and gamma-irradiation. Additional methods for reducing the bioburden of a buffer are known in the art. A reduced bioburden buffer can have a sterility assurance level of between about 1×10⁻³ and about 1×10⁻¹², between about 1×10⁻⁴ and about 1×10⁻¹², between 1×10⁻⁵ and about 1×10⁻¹¹, between about 1×10⁻⁵ and about 1×10⁻¹⁰, between about 1×10⁻⁵ and about 1×10⁻⁹, between about 1×10⁻⁶ and about 1×10⁻⁹, or between about 1×10⁻⁶ and about 1×10⁻⁸, inclusive.

Denaturing Buffers

The methods and processes described herein include the use of a denaturing buffer. Denaturing buffers include a sufficient amount of one or more chemical agents (e.g., detergent(s), reductant(s), acid(s), chaotropic agent(s), organic solvent(s), or crosslinking agent(s), or any combination thereof) that result in the denaturation of a protein. Non-limiting exemplary detergents that can be included in a denaturing buffer include Triton X-100, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and ethyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Non-limiting examples of organic solvents that can be included in a denaturing buffer include ethanol, butanol, phenol, propanol, and methanol. Non-limiting examples of reductants that can be included in a denaturing buffer include 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. Non-limiting examples of acids that can be included in denaturing buffers include acetic acid, thichloroacetic acid, and sulfosalicylic acid. Non-limiting examples of chaotropic agents that can be included in a denaturing buffer include urea (e.g., 6 to 9 M urea), thiourea, guanidium chloride (e.g., 5 to 7 M guanidium chloride), lithium perchlorate (e.g., 4 to 7 M lithium perchlorate), or lithium acetate. Non-limiting examples of cross-linking agents that can be included in a denaturing buffer include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.

Non-limiting examples of denaturing buffers include: 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5 (e.g., followed by 1 N NaOH); 6 M guanidine HCl, pH 2.5 (e.g., followed by 1 N NaOH or 1 M NaOH plus 1 M NaCl); and 0.5% Triton-X 100 in 0.1 M acetic acid, pH 2.5 (e.g., followed by 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol, pH 2.5, followed by 1 N NaOH).

Recombinant Therapeutic Proteins

A recombinant protein as described herein can be a recombinant therapeutic protein. Non-limiting examples of recombinant therapeutic proteins that can be produced by the methods provided herein include immunoglobulins (including light and heavy chain immunoglobulins, antibodies, or antibody fragments (e.g., any of the antibody fragments described herein), enzymes (e.g., a galactosidase (e.g., an alpha-galactosidase), Myozyme®, or Cerezyme®), proteins (e.g., human erythropoietin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or an interferon alpha or beta), or immunogenic or antigenic proteins or protein fragments (e.g., proteins for use in a vaccine). Non-limiting examples of recombinant therapeutic enzymes that can be used to treat a variety of lysosomal storage diseases are shown in FIG. 8. The recombinant therapeutic protein can be an engineered antigen-binding polypeptide that includes at least one multifunctional recombinant protein scaffold (see, e.g., the recombinant antigen-binding proteins described in Gebauer et al., Current Opin. Chem. Biol. 13:245-255, 2009; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0164066 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety)). Non-limiting examples of recombinant therapeutic proteins that are antibodies include: panitumumab, omalizumab, abagovomab, abciximab, actoxumab, adalimumab, adecatumumab, afelimomab, afutuzumab, alacizumab, alacizumab, alemtuzumab, alirocumab, altumomab, amatuximab, anatumomab, apolizumab, atinumab, tocilizumab, basilizimab, bectumomab, belimumab, bevacizumab, biciromab, canakinumab, cetuximab, daclizumab, densumab, eculizumab, edrecolomab, efalizumab, efungumab, ertumaxomab, etaracizumab, golimumab, infliximab, natalizumab, palivizumab, panitumumab, pertuzumab, ranibizumab, rituximab, tocilizumab, and trastuzumab. Additional examples of recombinant therapeutic antibodies that can be produced by the methods described herein are known in the art. Additional non-limiting examples of recombinant therapeutic proteins that can be produced/purified by the present methods include: alglucosidase alfa, laronidase, abatacept, galsulfase, lutropin alfa, antihemophilic factor, agalsidase beta, interferon beta-la, darbepoetin alfa, tenecteplase, etanercept, coagulation factor IX, follicle stimulating hormone, interferon beta-la, imiglucerase, dornase alfa, epoetin alfa, and alteplase.

A secreted, soluble recombinant therapeutic protein can be recovered from the liquid culture medium (e.g., a first and/or second liquid culture medium) by removing or otherwise physically separating the liquid culture medium from the cells (e.g., mammalian cells). A variety of different methods for removing liquid culture medium from cells (e.g., mammalian cells) are known in the art, including, for example, centrifugation, filtration, pipetting, and/or aspiration. The secreted recombinant therapeutic protein can then be recovered and further purified from the liquid culture medium using a variety of biochemical techniques including various types of chromatography (e.g., affinity chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography, or any combination thereof) and/or filtration (e.g., molecular weight cut-off filtration).

Cycle of Chromatography

As is well-known in the art, the steps in a cycle of chromatography can differ depending on the chromatography resin, the buffers used to perform each step in the cycle, and the biophysical characteristics of the target recombinant protein (e.g., recombinant therapeutic protein). For example, an affinity chromatography column can include the steps of loading an affinity chromatography column with a fluid including the target recombinant protein, washing the column to remove unwanted biological material (e.g., contaminating proteins and/or small molecules), eluting the target recombinant protein bound to the column, and re-equilibrating the column. A cycle of chromatography using a cationic and/or anionic exchange chromatography column, where the target recombinant protein binds to the chromatography resin in the loading step, can include the steps of loading the column with a fluid including the target protein, washing the column to remove unwanted biological material, eluting the target recombinant protein bound to the column, and re-equilibrating the column. In other examples, a cycle of chromatography using a cationic and/or anionic exchange chromatography column, where unwanted biological material binds to the chromatography resin during the loading step, while the target recombinant protein does not, can include the steps of loading the column with a fluid including the target protein, collecting the target recombinant protein in the flow-through, and reequilibrating the column. As is well-known in the art, any of the single steps in a chromatography cycle can include a single buffer or multiple buffers (e.g., two or more buffers), and one or more of any of the single steps in a chromatography cycle can include a buffer gradient. Any of the combination of various well-known aspects of a single cycle of chromatography can be used in these methods in any combination, e.g., different chromatography resin(s), flow-rate(s), buffer(s), void volume(s) of the column, bed volume(s) of the column, volume(s) of buffer used in each step, volume(s) of the fluid including the target protein, and the number and types of buffer(s) used in each step.

Methods of Performing Chromatography with Gamma-Sterilized Resin

Provided herein are methods of performing chromatography with gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. These methods include providing a chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, performing a first cycle of chromatography through the column, wherein the cycle includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer, and performing at least one additional cycle of chromatography through the column. The gamma-irradiated chromatography resin can be any type of chromatography resin and/or can be any of the gamma-irradiated chromatography resins described herein or known in the art. The chromatography column can be any of the chromatography columns including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin described herein or known in the art. The recombinant protein can be a recombinant therapeutic protein (e.g., any of the recombinant therapeutic proteins described herein or known in the art).

In some examples, the column is part of a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS), e.g., can be part of a periodic counter current chromatography system (PCCS).

The denaturing buffer can be any of the exemplary denaturing buffers described herein or known in the art. For example, the denaturing buffer can include one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100. In some examples, the chromatography resin is exposed to the denaturing buffer for a period of between at least 1 minute to about 2 hours (e.g., between 1 minute and about 1.5 hours, between about 1 minute and about 1.0 hour, between about 1 minute and about 55 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 50 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 45 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 40 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 40 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 35 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 30 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 25 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 20 minutes, between about 1 minute and about 15 minutes, or between about 1 minute and about 10 minutes). In some examples, exposing the chromatography resin to denaturing buffer include passing between about 0.5× bed volume to about 10× bed volume (e.g., between about 0.5× bed volume to about 9.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 8.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 7.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 6.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 5.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 4.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 3.5× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 3.0× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 2.5× bed volume, between about 0.5× bed volume to about 2.0× bed volume, or between about 0.5× bed volume to about 1.5× bed volume) of denaturing buffer through the chromatography column. In some examples, the first cycle of chromatography can include exposing the chromatography resin to wash buffer comprising about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to the denaturing buffer.

The first cycle of chromatography performed through the column can be any cycle of chromatography described herein or known in the art that includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer. The at least one additional cycle of chromatography performed through the column can be any cycle of chromatography described herein or known in the art. For example, the first cycle of chromatography and the at least one additional cycle of chromatography can include the steps of: capturing the recombinant protein by exposing the chromatography resin with a liquid including a recombinant protein; washing the chromatography resin by exposing the chromatography resin with a wash buffer, eluting the recombinant protein by exposing the chromatography resin with an elution buffer; and regenerating the chromatography resin by exposing the chromatography resin to the denaturing buffer. In some examples, the liquid including the recombinant protein is a liquid culture medium (e.g., a liquid culture medium collected from a perfusion or batch culture).

The first chromatography cycle and the at least one additional chromatography cycle can be performed using a closed and integrated system (e.g., any of the exemplary closed and integrated systems described herein or known in the art). For example, the first chromatography cycle and the at least one additional chromatography cycle can be performed using a closed and integrated system, where the buffer is reduced bioburden buffer (e.g., all the buffers used in the first and at least one additional cycles). As is well-known in the art, reduced bioburden buffer can be produced using a variety of different methods (e.g., prepared by filtration, by autoclaving, or heat treatment).

The at least one additional cycle of chromatography can be at two or more (e.g., 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 9 or more, 10 or more, 11 or more, 12 or more, 13 or more, 14 or more, 15 or more, 20 or more, 25 or more, 30 or more, 35 or more, 40 or more, 45 or more, 50 or more, 55 or more, 60 or more, 65 or more, 70 or more, 75 or more, 80 or more, 85 or more, 90 or more, 95 or more, or 100 or more) cycles of additional chromatography. In some examples, the at least one additional cycle of chromatography is performed continuously over a period of at least 3 days (e.g., at least 4 days, at least 5 days, at least 6 days, at least 7 days, at least 8 days, at least 9 days, at least 10 days, at least 11 days, at least 12 days, at least 13 days, at least 14 days, at least 15 days, at least 16 days, at least 17 days, at least 18 days, at least 19 days, at least 20 days, at least 21 days, at least 22 days, at least 23 days, at least 24 days, at least 25 days, at least 30 days, at least 35 days, at least 40 days, at least 45 days, at least 50 days, at least 55 days, at least 60 days, at least 65 days, at least 70 days, at least 75 days, at least 80 days, at least 85 days, at least 90 days, at least 95 days, or at least 100 days).

Integrated, Closed or Substantially Closed, and Continuous Processes for Manufacturing of a Recombinant Protein

Provided herein are integrated, closed or substantially closed, and continuous processes for manufacturing a purified recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant therapeutic protein). These processes include providing a liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant therapeutic protein) that is substantially free of cells.

Some processes include continuously feeding the liquid culture medium into a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS) that includes at least one chromatography column including gamma-sterilized resin, where the chromatography resin is exposed during each cycle to denaturing buffer (e.g., exposed to any of the denaturing buffers described herein or known in the art for any of the durations described herein). These processes utilize reduced bioburden buffer, are integrated, and run continuously from the liquid culture medium to an eluate from the MCCS that is the purified recombinant protein (e.g., a therapeutic protein drug substance).

Some processes include continuously feeding the liquid culture medium into a first MCCS (MCCS1), capturing the recombinant protein from the liquid culture medium using the MCCS1, producing an eluate from the MCCS1 that includes the recombinant protein and continuously feeding the eluate into a second MCCS (MCCS2), and continuously feeding the recombinant protein from the eluate into the MCCS2 and subsequently eluting the recombinant protein to thereby produce the purified recombinant protein, where at least one column in the MCCS1 and/or the MCCS2 is a chromatography column that includes gamma-irradiated chromatography resin and the chromatography resin is exposed to denaturing buffer during each cycle in the process (e.g., exposed to any of the denaturing buffers described herein or known in the art for any of the durations described herein). These processes utilize reduced bioburden buffer, are integrated, and run continuously from the liquid culture medium to the purified recombinant protein.

In some examples, each of the chromatography columns used in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 includes a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. Some embodiments further include a step of formulating the purified recombinant protein into a pharmaceutical composition.

The processes described herein provide continuous and time-efficient production of a purified recombinant protein from a liquid culture medium including the recombinant protein. For example, the elapsed time between feeding a liquid culture medium including a therapeutic protein into the MCCS or MCCS1 and eluting the recombinant protein from the MCCS or MCCS2, respectively, can be, e.g., between about 4 hours and about 48 hours, inclusive, e.g., between about 4 hours and about 40 hours, between about 4 hours and about 35 hours, between about 4 hours and about 30 hours, between about 4 hours and about 28 hours, between about 4 hours and about 26 hours, between about 4 hours and about 24 hours, between about 4 hours and about 22 hours, between about 4 hours and about 20 hours, between about 4 hours and about 18 hours, between about 4 hours and about 16 hours, between about 4 hours and about 14 hours, between about 4 hours and about 12 hours, between about 6 hours and about 12 hours, between about 8 hours and about 12 hours, between about 6 hours and about 20 hours, between about 6 hours and about 18 hours, between about 6 hours and about 14 hours, between about 8 hours and about 16 hours, between about 8 hours and about 14 hours, between about 8 hours and about 12 hours, between about 10 hours and 20 hours, between about 10 hours and 18 hours, between about 10 hours and 16 hours, between about 10 hours and 14 hours, between about 12 hours and about 14 hours, between about 10 hours and about 40 hours, between about 10 hours and about 35 hours, between about 10 hours and about 30 hours, between about 10 hours and about 25 hours, between about 15 hours and about 40 hours, between about 15 hours and about 35 hours, between about 15 hours and about 30 hours, between about 20 hours and about 40 hours, between about 20 hours and about 35 hours, or between about 20 hours and about 30 hours, inclusive. In other examples, the elapsed time between feeding the liquid culture medium including the recombinant protein into the MCCS or MCCS1 and eluting the recombinant protein from the MCCS or MCCS2, respectively, is, e.g., greater than about 4 hours and less than about 40 hours, inclusive, e.g., greater than about 4 hours and less than about 39 hours, about 38 hours, about 37 hours, about 36 hours, about 35 hours, about 34 hours, about 33 hours, about 32 hours, about 31 hours, about 30 hours, about 29 hours, about 28 hours, about 27 hours, about 26 hours, about 25 hours, about 24 hours, about 23 hours, about 22 hours, about 21 hours, about 20 hours, about 19 hours, about 18 hours, about 17 hours, about 16 hours, about 15 hours, about 14 hours, about 13 hours, about 12 hours, about 11 hours, about 10 hours, about 9 hours, about 8 hours, about 7 hours, about 6 hours, about 5 hours, or about 4.5 hours, inclusive.

Non-limiting aspects of the MCCSs that can be used in any of these processes (MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/775,060 and 61/856,390 (each incorporated herein by reference).

Some exemplary processes do not utilize a holding step (e.g., do not use a reservoir (e.g., break tank) in the entire process). Others may use a maximum of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) in the entire process. Any of the processes described herein can utilize a maximum of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) in the entire process, where each break tank only holds a recombinant protein for a total time period of, e.g., between about 5 minutes and less than about 6 hours, inclusive, e.g., between about 5 minutes and about 5 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour, or about 30 minutes, inclusive.

Some processes utilize one, two, three, four, five, or six reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) and can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 300 mL, inclusive, e.g., between 1 mL and about 280 mL, about 260 mL, about 240 mL, about 220 mL, about 200 mL, about 180 mL, about 160 mL, about 140 mL, about 120 mL, about 100 mL, about 80 mL, about 60 mL, about 40 mL, about 20 mL, or about 10 mL (inclusive). Any reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) used (in any of the processes described herein) to hold fluid before it is fed into the MCCS or MCCS1 can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 100%, inclusive, e.g., between 1 mL and about 90%, about 80%, about 70%, about 60%, about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, about 10%, or about 5%, inclusive, of the loading volume of the first column of the MCCS or MCCS1. A reservoir(s) (e.g., break tanks(s)) can be used to hold eluate from MCCS1 before it enters into the MCCS2 and can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 100%, inclusive, e.g., between 1 mL and about 90%, about 80%, about 70%, about 60%, about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, about 10%, or about 5%, inclusive, of the loading volume of the first column of the MCCS2.

Various additional aspects of these processes are described in detail below and can be used in any combination in the processes provided herein without limitation. Exemplary aspects of the provided processes are described below; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that additional steps can be added to the processes described herein and other materials can be used to perform any of the steps of the processes described herein.

Liquid Culture Medium

Liquid culture medium that includes a recombinant protein (e.g., recombinant therapeutic protein) that is substantially free of cells can be derived from any source. For example, the liquid culture medium can be obtained from a recombinant cell culture (e.g., a recombinant bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cell culture). The liquid culture medium can be obtained from a fed-batch cell (e.g., mammalian cell) culture (e.g., a fed-batch bioreactor including a culture of mammalian cells that secrete the recombinant protein) or a perfusion cell (e.g., mammalian cell) culture (e.g., a perfusion bioreactor including a culture of mammalian cells that secrete the recombinant protein). The liquid culture medium can also be a clarified liquid culture medium from a culture of bacterial or yeast cells that secrete the recombinant protein.

Liquid culture medium obtained from a recombinant cell culture can be filtered or clarified to obtain a liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells and/or viruses. Methods for filtering or clarifying a liquid culture medium in order to remove cells are known in the art (e.g., 0.2-μm filtration and filtration using an Alternating Tangential Flow (ATF™) system). Recombinant cells can also be removed from liquid culture medium using centrifugation and removing the supernatant that is liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells, or by allowing the cells to settle to the gravitational bottom of a container (e.g., bioreactor) including the liquid culture medium, and removing the liquid culture medium (the liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells) that is distant from the settled recombinant cells.

The liquid culture medium can be obtained from a culture of recombinant cells (e.g., recombinant bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells) producing any of the recombinant proteins (e.g., recombinant therapeutic proteins) described herein or known in the art. Some examples of any of the processes described herein can further include a step of culturing recombinant cells (e.g., recombinant bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells) that produce the recombinant protein (e.g., recombinant therapeutic protein).

The liquid culture medium can be any of the types of liquid culture medium described herein or known in the art. For example, the liquid culture medium can be selected from the group of: animal-derived component-free liquid culture medium, serum-free liquid culture medium, serum-containing liquid culture medium, chemically-defined liquid culture medium, and protein-free liquid culture medium. In any of the processes described herein, a liquid culture medium obtained from a culture can be diluted by addition of a second fluid (e.g., a buffer) before it is fed into the MCCS or MCCS1.

The liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein that is substantially free of cells can be stored (e.g., at a temperature below about 15° C. (e.g., below about 10° C., below about 4° C., below about 0° C., below about −20° C., below about −50° C., below about −70 C.°, or below about −80° C.) for at least 1 day (e.g., at least about 2 days, at least about 5 days, at least about 10 days, at least about 15 days, at least about 20 days, or at least about 30 days) prior to feeding the liquid culture medium into the MCCS or MCCS1. Alternatively, in some examples the liquid culture medium is fed into the MCCS or MCCS1 directly from a bioreactor (e.g., fed into the MCCS or MCCS1 directly from the bioreactor after a filtering or clarification step).

Multi-Column Chromatography Systems

The processes described herein include the use of a MCCS or two or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, or six) multi-column chromatography systems (MCCSs) (e.g., an MCCS1 and MCCS2). A MCCS can include two or more chromatography columns, two or more chromatographic membranes, or a combination of at least one chromatography column and at least one chromatographic membrane. In non-limiting examples, a MCCS (e.g., MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in any of the processes herein) can include four chromatographic columns, three chromatographic columns and a chromatographic membrane, three chromatographic columns, two chromatographic columns, two chromatographic membranes, and two chromatographic columns and one chromatographic membrane. Additional examples of combinations of chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes can be envisioned for use in an MCCS (e.g., MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in any of the processes described herein) by one skilled in the art without limitation. The individual chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes present in a MCCS can be identical (e.g., have the same shape, volume, resin, capture mechanism, and unit operation), or can be different (e.g., have one or more of a different shape, volume, resin, capture mechanism, and unit operation). The individual chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in a MCCS (e.g., MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in any of the processes described herein) can perform the same unit operation (e.g., the unit operation of capturing, purifying, or polishing) or different unit operations (e.g., different unit operations selected from, e.g., the group of capturing, purifying, polishing, inactivating viruses, adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a fluid including the recombinant protein, and filtering). For example, in examples of the processes described herein, at least one chromatography column and/or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS or MCCS1 performs the unit operation of capturing the recombinant protein.

The one or more chromatography column(s) that can be present in an MCCS (e.g., present in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) can have a resin volume of, e.g., between about 1 mL and about 2 mL, about 5 mL, about 10 mL, about 15 mL, about 20 mL, about 25 mL, about 30 mL, about 35 mL, about 40 mL, about 45 mL, about 50 mL, about 55 mL, about 60 mL, about 65 mL, about 70 mL, about 75 mL, about 80 mL, about 85 mL, about 90 mL, about 95 mL, or about 100 mL, inclusive. The one or more chromatography column(s) that can be present in an MCCS (e.g., present in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) can have a resin volume of between about 2 mL to about 100 mL, between about 2 mL and about 90 mL, between about 2 mL and about 80 mL, between about 2 mL and about 70 mL, between about 2 mL and about 60 mL, between about 2 mL and about 50 mL, between about 5 mL and about 50 mL, between about 2 mL and about 45 mL, between about 5 mL and about 45 mL, between about 2 mL and about 40 mL, between about 5 mL and about 40 mL, between about 2 mL and about 35 mL, between about 5 mL and about 35 mL, between about 2 mL and about 30 mL, between about 5 mL and about 30 mL, between about 2 mL and about 25 mL, between about 5 mL and about 25 mL, between about 15 mL and about 60 mL, between about 10 mL and about 60 mL, between about 10 mL and about 50 mL, and between about 15 mL and about 50 mL. The one or more chromatography column(s) in an MCCS (e.g., the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) used in any of the processes described herein can have the substantially the same resin volume or can have different resin volumes. The flow rate used for the one or more chromatography column(s) in an MCCS (e.g., the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) can be, e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute).

The one or more chromatography column (s) in an MCCS (e.g., MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) can have substantially the same shape or can have substantially different shapes. For example, the one or more chromatography column(s) in an MCCS (e.g., in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) can have substantially the shape of a circular cylinder or can have substantially the same shape of an oval cylinder.

The one or more chromatographic membrane(s) that can be present in an MCCS (e.g., present in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) can have a bed volume of, e.g., between about 1 mL to about 500 mL (e.g., between about 1 mL to about 475 mL, between about 1 mL to about 450 mL, between about 1 mL to about 425 mL, between about 1 mL to about 400 mL, between about 1 mL to about 375 mL, between about 1 mL to about 350 mL, between about 1 mL to about 325 mL, between about 1 mL to about 300 mL, between about 1 mL to about 275 mL, between about 1 mL to about 250 mL, between about 1 mL to about 225 mL, between about 1 mL to about 200 mL, between about 1 mL to about 175 mL, between about 1 mL to about 150 mL, between about 1 mL to about 125 mL, between about 1 mL to about 100 mL, between about 2 mL to about 100 mL, between about 5 mL to about 100 mL, between about 1 mL to about 80 mL, between about 2 mL to about 80 mL, between about 5 mL to about 80 mL, between about 1 mL to about 60 mL, between about 2 mL to about 60 mL, between about 5 mL to about 60 mL, between about 1 mL to about 40 mL, between about 2 mL to about 40 mL, between about 5 mL to about 40 mL, between about 1 mL to about 30 mL, between about 2 mL to about 30 mL, between about 5 mL to about 30 mL, between about 1 mL and about 25 mL, between about 2 mL and about 25 mL, between about 1 mL and about 20 mL, between about 2 mL and about 20 mL, between about 1 mL and about 15 mL, between about 2 mL and about 15 mL, between about 1 mL and about 10 mL, or between about 2 mL and about 10 mL).

One or more (e.g., three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, or twenty-four) different types of reduced bioburden buffer can be employed during the use of the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in any of the processes described herein. As is known in the art, the one or more types of reduced bioburden buffer used in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in the processes described herein will depend on the resin present in the chromatography column(s) and/or the chromatographic membrane(s) of the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2, the biophysical properties of the recombinant protein, and unit operation (e.g., any of the exemplary unit operations described herein) performed by the specific chromatography column(s) and/or chromatography membranes of the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2. The volume and type of buffer employed during the use of the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in any of the processes described herein can also be determined by one skilled in the art (e.g., discussed in more detail below). For example, the volume and type(s) of buffer employed during the use of the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 in any of the processes described herein can be chosen in order to optimize one or more of the following in the purified recombinant protein (e.g., recombinant protein drug product): the overall yield of recombinant protein, the activity of the recombinant protein, the level of purity of the recombinant protein, and the removal of biological contaminants from a fluid (e.g., liquid culture medium) including the recombinant protein (e.g., absence of active viruses, mycobacteria, yeast, bacteria, or mammalian cells).

The MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 can be a periodic counter current chromatography system (PCCS). A PCCS can, e.g., include two or more chromatography columns (e.g., three columns or four columns) that are switched in order to allow for the continuous elution of recombinant protein from the two or more chromatography columns. A PCCS can include two or more chromatography columns, two or more chromatographic membranes, or at least one chromatographic column and at least one chromatographic membrane. A column operation (cycle) generally consists of the load, wash, eluate, and regeneration steps. In PCCSs, multiple columns are used to run the same steps discretely and continuously in a cyclic fashion. Since the columns are operated in series, the flow through and wash from one column is captured by another column. This unique feature of PCCSs allows for loading of the resin close to its static binding capacity instead of to the dynamic binding capacity, as is typical during batch mode chromatography. As a result of the continuous cycling and elution, fluid entering a PCCS is processed continuously, and the eluate including recombinant protein is continuously produced.

Column-switching strategy is employed to advance from one step to another in a PCCS cycle. Examples of column switching that can be used in a PCCS are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/775,060 and 61/856,390. For example, a column switching method can employ two automated switching operations per column: the first of which is related to the initial product breakthrough, while the second coincides with column saturation. The determination of when the column switching operations should take place can be determined by monitoring the recombinant protein concentration (e.g., monitoring performed by UV monitoring) in the eluate from each chromatography column present in a PCCS. For example, column switching can be determined by any PAT tool capable of in-line measurement of product concentration with feedback control. The PAT tool is capable of real-time in-line measurement of product concentration with feedback control. As in known in the art, column switches can also be designed based on time or the amount of fluid (e.g., buffer) passed through the one or more chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membranes in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2.

In PCCSs, the residence time (RT) of the recombinant protein on the each chromatography column and/or chromatographic membrane present in the PCCS can be decreased without increasing the column/membrane size because the breakthrough from the first column/membrane can be captured on another column/membrane in the PCCS. A continuous process system can be designed to process liquid culture medium at any perfusion rate (D) by varying the column/membrane volume (V) and RT using the equation of: V=D*RT.

The one or more unit operations that can be performed by the MCCS or the MCC1 and/or MCCS2 used in the presently described processes include, for example, capturing the recombinant protein, inactivating viruses present in a fluid including the recombinant protein, purifying the recombinant protein, polishing the recombinant protein, holding a fluid including the recombinant protein (e.g., using any of the exemplary break tank(s) described herein), filtering or removing particulate material and/or cells from a fluid including the recombinant protein, and adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a fluid including the recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the MCCS or the MCCS1 includes at least one chromatographic column and/or chromatographic membrane that performs the unit operation of capturing the recombinant protein. The unit operation of capturing can be performed using at least one chromatography column and/or chromatography resin, e.g., that utilizes a capture mechanism. Non-limiting examples of capturing mechanisms include a protein A-binding capture mechanism, an antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, a substrate-binding capture mechanism, an aptamer-binding capture mechanism, a tag-binding capture mechanism (e.g., poly-His tag-based capture mechanism), and a cofactor-binding capture mechanism. Capturing can also be performed using a resin that can be used to perform cation exchange or anion exchange chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Non-limiting resins that can be used to capture a recombinant protein are described herein. Additional examples of resins that can be used to capture a recombinant protein are known in the art.

The unit operation of inactivating viruses present in a fluid including the recombinant protein can be performed using a MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 (e.g., that include(s), e.g., a chromatography column, a chromatography membrane, or a holding tank that is capable of incubating a fluid including the recombinant protein at a pH of between about 3.0 to 5.0 (e.g., between about 3.5 to about 4.5, between about 3.5 to about 4.25, between about 3.5 to about 4.0, between about 3.5 to about 3.8, or about 3.75) for a period of at least 30 minutes (e.g., a period of between about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, a period of between about 30 minutes to 1.25 hours, a period of between about 0.75 hours to 1.25 hours, or a period of about 1 hour).

The unit operation of purifying a recombinant protein can be performed using one or more MCCSs (e.g., a MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) that include(s), e.g., a chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a resin, e.g., that utilizes a capture system. Non-limiting examples of capturing mechanisms include a protein A-binding capture mechanism, an antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, a substrate-binding capture mechanism, an aptamer-binding capture mechanism, a tag-binding capture mechanism (e.g., poly-His tag-based capture mechanism), and a cofactor-binding capture mechanism. Purifying can also be performed using a resin that can be used to perform cation exchange or anion exchange chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Non-limiting resins that can be used to purify a recombinant protein are described herein. Additional examples of resins that can be used to purify a recombinant protein are known in the art.

The unit operation of polishing a recombinant protein can be performed using one or more MCCSs (e.g., a MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS) that include(s), e.g., a chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a resin, e.g., that can be used to perform cation exchange, anion exchange, molecular sieve chromatography, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Non-limiting resins that can be used to polish a recombinant protein are described herein. Additional examples of resins that can be used to polish a recombinant protein are known in the art.

The unit operation of holding a fluid including the recombinant protein can be performed using an MCCS (e.g., a MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) that includes at least one reservoir (e.g., a break tank) or a maximum of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) in the MCCS or the MCCS1 and MCCS2 combined. For example, the reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) that can be used to achieve this unit operation can each have a volume of between about 1 mL to about 1 L (e.g., between about 1 mL to about 800 mL, between about 1 mL to about 600 mL, between about 1 mL to about 500 mL, between about 1 mL to about 400 mL, between about 1 mL to about 350 mL, between about 1 mL to about 300 mL, between about 10 mL and about 250 mL, between about 10 mL and about 200 mL, between about 10 mL and about 150 mL, or between about 10 mL to about 100 mL). The reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) used in the processes described herein can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 300 mL, inclusive, e.g., between 1 mL and about 280 mL, about 260 mL, about 240 mL, about 220 mL, about 200 mL, about 180 mL, about 160 mL, about 140 mL, about 120 mL, about 100 mL, about 80 mL, about 60 mL, about 40 mL, about 20 mL, or about 10 mL, inclusive. Any of the reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) used (in any of the processes described herein) to hold fluid before it enters into the MCCS or MCCS1 can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 100%, inclusive, between about 1 mL and about 90%, about 80%, about 70%, about 60%, about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, about 10%, or about 5%, inclusive, of the loading volume of the first column of the MCCS or MCCS1. Any of the reservoir(s) (e.g., break tanks(s)) used to hold a eluate from MCCS1 (including the recombinant protein) before it enters the MCCS2 can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 100%, inclusive, e.g., between about 1 mL and about 90%, about 80%, about 70%, about 60%, about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, about 10%, or about 5%, inclusive, of the loading volume of the first column of the MCCS2.

The reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) can each hold the fluid including the recombinant protein for at least 10 minutes (e.g., at least 20 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 4 hours, or at least 6 hours). In other examples, the reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) only holds a recombinant protein for a total time period of, e.g., between about 5 minutes and less than about 6 hours, inclusive, e.g., between about 5 minutes and about 5 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour, or about 30 minutes, inclusive. The reservoir(s) (e.g., break tank(s)) can be used to both hold and refrigerate (e.g., at a temperature of less than 25° C., less than 15° C., or less than 10° C.) the fluid including the recombinant protein. The reservoir can have any shape, including a circular cylinder, an oval cylinder, or an approximately rectangular sealed and nonpermeable bag.

The unit operations of filtering a fluid including the recombinant protein can be performed using an MCCS (e.g., the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) that includes, e.g., a filter, or a chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a molecular sieve resin. As is known in the art, a wide variety of submicron filters (e.g., a filter with a pore size of less than 1 μm, less than 0.5 μm, less than 0.3 μm, about 0.2 μm, less than 0.2 μm, less than 100 nm, less than 80 nm, less than 60 nm, less than 40 nm, less than 20 nm, or less than 10 nm) are available in the art that are capable of removing any precipitated material and/or cells (e.g., precipitated, unfolded protein; precipitated, unwanted host cell proteins; precipitated lipids; bacteria; yeast cells; fungal cells; mycobacteria; and/or mammalian cells). Filters having a pore size of about 0.2 μm or less than 0.2 μm are known to effectively remove bacteria from the fluid including the recombinant protein. As is known in the art, a chromatography column or a chromatographic membrane including a molecular sieve resin can also be used in an MCCS (e.g., the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2) to perform the unit operation of filtering a fluid including a recombinant protein.

The unit operations of adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a fluid including the recombinant protein can be performed using a MCCS (e.g., a MCCS, a MCCS1, and/or a MCCS2) that includes and utilizes a buffer adjustment reservoir (e.g., an in-line buffer adjustment reservoir) that adds a new buffer solution into a fluid that includes the recombinant protein (e.g., between columns within the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2, or after the last column in a penultimate MCCS (e.g., the MCCS1) and before the fluid including the recombinant protein is fed into the first column of the next MCCS (e.g., the MCCS2)). As can be appreciated in the art, the in-line buffer adjustment reservoir can be any size (e.g., greater than 100 mL) and can include any buffered solution (e.g., a buffered solution that has one or more of: an increased or decreased pH as compared to the fluid including the recombinant protein, an increased or decreased ionic (e.g., salt) concentration compared to the fluid including the recombinant protein, and/or an increased or decreased concentration of an agent that competes with the recombinant protein for binding to resin present in at least one chromatographic column or at least one chromatographic membrane in an MCCS (e.g., the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2)).

The MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 can perform two or more unit operations. For example, the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 can each perform at least the following unit operations: capturing the recombinant protein and inactivating viruses present in the fluid including the recombinant protein; capturing the recombinant protein, inactivating viruses present in the fluid including the recombinant protein, and adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a liquid including the recombinant protein; purifying the recombinant protein and polishing the recombinant protein; purifying the recombinant protein, polishing the recombinant protein, and filtering a fluid including the recombinant protein or removing precipitates and/or particular matter from a fluid including the recombinant protein; and purifying the recombinant protein, polishing the recombinant protein, filtering a fluid including the recombinant protein or removing precipitates and/or particulate matter from a fluid including the recombinant protein, and adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a liquid including the recombinant protein.

Capturing the Recombinant Protein

The present processes include a step of capturing the recombinant protein using a MCCS or MCCS1. As can be appreciated in the art, the liquid culture medium including the recombinant protein can be continuously fed onto the MCCS or MCCS1 using a variety of different means. For example, the liquid culture medium can be actively pumped into the MCCS or MCCS1, or the liquid culture medium can be fed into the MCCS or MCCS1 using gravitational force. The liquid culture medium can be stored in a reservoir (e.g., a holding tank) before it is fed into the MCCS or MCCS1 or the liquid culture medium can be actively pumped from a bioreactor including a culture of cells (e.g., mammalian cells that secrete the recombinant protein into the culture medium) into the MCCS or MCCS1.

The liquid culture medium can be fed (loaded) into the MCCS or MCCS1 at a flow rate of between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The liquid culture medium including the recombinant protein can be derived from any of the exemplary sources described herein or known in the art.

Some examples further include the optional step of filtering the liquid culture medium before it is fed into the MCCS or MCCS1. Any of the exemplary means of filtering a liquid culture medium or a fluid including the recombinant protein described herein, or any filtration means known in the art, can be used to filter the liquid culture medium including the recombinant protein before it is fed into the MCCS or MCCS1.

In the processes described herein, the capturing of the recombinant protein from the liquid culture medium is performed using the MCCS or MCCS1. As can be appreciated in the art, in order to achieve the capture of the recombinant protein, at least one chromatographic column or at least one chromatographic membrane in the MCCS or MCCS1 must include a resin that utilizes a capturing mechanism (e.g., any of the exemplary capturing mechanisms described herein), or includes a resin capable of performing cation exchange, anion exchange, molecular sieve, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. For example, if the recombinant protein is an antibody or an antibody fragment, the capturing system can be a protein A-binding capturing mechanism or an antigen-binding capturing mechanism (where the capturing antigen is specifically recognized by the recombinant antibody or antibody fragment). If the recombinant protein is an enzyme, the capturing mechanism can use an antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to the enzyme to capture the recombinant enzyme, a substrate of the enzyme to capture the recombinant enzyme, a cofactor of the enzyme to capture the recombinant enzyme, or, if the recombinant enzyme includes a tag, a protein, metal chelate, or antibody (or antibody fragment) that specifically binds to the tag present in the recombinant enzyme. Non-limiting resins that can be used to capture a recombinant protein are described herein and additional resins that can be used to capture a recombinant protein are known in the art. One non-limiting example of resin that utilizes a protein A-binding capture mechanism is MabSelect SuRe resin (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.).

Exemplary non-limiting sizes and shapes of the chromatography column(s) or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 that can be used to capture the recombinant protein are described herein. The liquid culture medium fed (loaded) into the MCCS or MCCS1 can include, e.g., between about 0.05 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL recombinant protein (e.g., between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 90 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 80 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 70 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 60 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 40 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 30 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, or between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL recombinant protein). The mean time required for the recombinant protein to bind to the resin used to perform the unit operation of capturing can be, e.g., between about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes (e.g., between about 10 seconds to about 8 minutes, between about 10 seconds to about 7 minutes, between about 10 seconds to about 6 minutes, between about 10 seconds to about 5 minutes, between about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes, between about 1 minute to about 5 minutes, between about 10 seconds to about 4 minutes, between about 30 seconds to about 4 minutes, or between about 1 minute to about 4 minutes).

As can be appreciated in the art, in order to capture the recombinant protein using the chromatography column(s) or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1, one must perform the sequential chromatographic steps of loading, washing, eluting, and regenerating the chromatography column(s) or chromatography membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1. Any of the exemplary flow rates, buffer volumes, and/or lengths of time allotted for each sequential chromatographic step described herein can be used in the one or more of these different sequential chromatographic steps (e.g., one or more of the sequential chromatographic steps of loading, washing, eluting, and regenerating the chromatography column(s) or chromatography membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 that are used for capturing the recombinant protein). Non-limiting flow rates, buffer volumes, and/or lengths of time allotted for each sequential chromatographic step that can be used for capturing chromatographic column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) in the MCCS or MCCS1 (e.g., a PCCS or PCCS1) are provided below. In addition, exemplary buffers that can be used in the MCCS and/or MCCS1 are described below.

The MCCS or MCCS1 including at least one chromatographic column and/or chromatographic membrane including a resin that can perform the unit operation of capturing (e.g., any of exemplary resins that can be used for capturing described herein) can be loaded with the liquid culture medium including a recombinant protein using any of loading flow rates (fed rates) described above. In some examples, a single chromatographic column or single chromatographic membrane including a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing is loaded in, e.g., between about 10 minutes to about 90 minutes (e.g., between about 15 minutes and about 90 minutes, between about 20 minutes and 80 minutes, between about 30 minutes and 80 minutes, between about 40 minutes and about 80 minutes, between about 50 minutes and about 80 minutes, and between about 60 minutes and 80 minutes). In some examples, wherein the MCCS or MCCS1 includes at least two chromatographic columns that include a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing in series, the time required to load two of the chromatographic columns in series is, e.g., between about 50 minutes to about 180 minutes (e.g., between about 60 minutes and about 180 minutes, between about 70 minutes and about 180 minutes, between about 80 minutes and about 180 minutes, between about 90 minutes and about 180 minutes, between about 100 minutes and about 180 minutes, between about 110 minutes and 150 minutes, and between about 125 minutes and about 145 minutes).

Following the loading of the recombinant protein onto the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS or MCCS1 that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing, the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane is washed with at least one washing buffer. As can be appreciated in the art, the at least one (e.g., two, three, or four) washing buffer is meant to elute all proteins that are not the recombinant protein from the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane, while not disturbing the interaction of the recombinant protein with the resin.

The wash buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane at a flow rate of between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of wash buffer used (e.g., combined total volume of wash buffer used when more than one wash buffer is used) can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 15× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV). The total time of the washing can be, e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 3 hours (e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 2.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 2.0 hours, between about 5 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 10 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 10 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 20 minutes to about 1.25 hours, or between about 30 minutes to about 1 hour).

Following the washing of the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS or MCCS1 that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing, the recombinant protein is eluted from the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane by passing an elution buffer through the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS or MCCS1 that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing. The elution buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing at a flow rate of between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute and about 6.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 5.0 mg/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of elution buffer used to elute the recombinant protein from each of the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane including a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of purifying can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 15× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV). The total time of the eluting can be, e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 3 hours (e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 2.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 2.0 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1 hour, between about 2 minutes and about 40 minutes, between about 10 minutes and about 40 minutes, between about 20 minutes and about 40 minutes). Non-limiting examples of elution buffers that can be used in these methods will depend on the capture mechanism and/or the recombinant protein. For example, an elution buffer can include a different concentration of salt (e.g., increased salt concentration), a different pH (e.g., an increased or decreased salt concentration), or a molecule that will compete with the recombinant protein for binding to the resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing. Examples of such elution buffers for each exemplary capture mechanism described herein are well known in the art.

Following the elution of the recombinant protein from the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS or the MCCS1 that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing, and before the next volume of liquid culture medium can be loaded onto the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane, the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane must be equilibrated using an regeneration buffer. The regeneration buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing at a flow rate of, e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute and about 6.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 5.0 mg/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 5.0 mL/minute to about 15.0 mL/minute, or between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). In some examples, the regeneration buffer is a denaturing buffer (e.g., any of the denaturing buffers or combinations of denaturing buffers described herein). The volume of regeneration buffer used to equilibrate the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 15× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 5× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV).

In some of the processes described herein, the MCCS or MCCS1 includes a reservoir that holds a fluid including the recombinant protein at low pH (e.g., a pH below 4.6, below 4.4, below 4.2, below 4.0, below 3.8, below 3.6, below 3.4, below 3.2, or below 3.0) for, e.g., about 1 minute to 1.5 hours (e.g., about 1 hour), and inactivates the viruses present in a fluid including the recombinant protein. An example of a reservoir that can be used to perform the unit operation of inactivating viruses is a stir flask (e.g., 500-mL stir flask, e.g., a 500-mL stir flask with a programmed stir plate) that is capable of holding a fluid including a recombinant protein for, e.g., about 1 minute to 1.5 hours, e.g., before the fluid including the recombinant protein is fed into the MCCS2. The reservoir that is used to perform the unit operation of inactivation of viruses can be a 500-mL stir flask with a programmed stir plate (e.g., a stir plate programmed to mix (e.g., periodically mix) the fluid within the reservoir, e.g., every 4 hours). Another example of a reservoir that can be used to perform the unit operation of inactivation of viruses is a plastic bag (e.g., 500-mL plastic bag) that is capable of holding a fluid including a recombinant protein for, e.g., about 1 minute to 1.5 hours, e.g., before the fluid including the recombinant protein is fed into the MCCS2. In some examples, the fluid including the recombinant protein can already have a low pH (e.g., a pH below 4.6, below 4.4, below 4.2, below 4.0, below 3.8, below 3.6, below 3.4, below 3.2, or below 3.0) when it is fed into the reservoir that is used to perform the unit operation of viral inactivation. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of other means can be used to perform the unit operation of inactivating viruses. For example, UV irradiation of a fluid including the recombinant protein can also be used to perform the unit operation of inactivating viruses. Non-limiting examples of reservoirs that can be used to perform the unit operation of inactivation of viruses present in a fluid including the recombinant protein are described herein.

The MCCS or MCCS1 can include a PCCS including four chromatography columns, where at least three of the four chromatography columns perform the unit operation of capturing the recombinant protein from the liquid culture medium (e.g., using an MCCS that includes any of the at least one chromatography columns that include a resin that is capable of performing the unit operation of capturing (e.g., any of those described herein)). In these examples, the fourth-column of the PCC can perform the unit operation of inactivating viruses in a fluid that includes the recombinant protein (e.g., any of the exemplary columns described herein that can be used to achieve viral inactivation of a fluid including the recombinant protein).

In some examples, a fluid including the recombinant protein is continuously eluted from the MCCS1 (e.g., PCCS1), and is continuously fed into the MCCS2 (e.g., PCCS2). The percent of the recombinant protein recovered in the eluate of the MCCS or MCCS1 (e.g., PCCS or PCCS1) can be, e.g., at least 70%, at least 72%, at least 74%, at least 76%, at least 78%, at least 80%, at least 82%, at least 84%, at least 86%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 94%, at least 96%, or at least 98%). The eluate from the MCCS1 (e.g., PCCS1) can be fed into the MCCS2 (e.g., PCCS2) using a variety of means known in the art (e.g., tubing). The eluate of the MCCS1 (e.g., PCCS1) can be fed into the MCCS2 (e.g., PCCS2) at a flow rate of, e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute and about 6.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 5.0 mg/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 5.0 mL/minute to about 15.0 mL/minute, between about 15 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute, or between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute).

Some processes described herein can further include a step of adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of the eluate from the MCCS1 (e.g., PCCS1) before it is fed into the MCCS2 (e.g., PCCS2). As described herein, the ionic concentration and/or pH of the eluate from the MCCS1 (e.g., PCCS1) can be adjusted (before it is fed into the MCCS2) by adding a buffer to the eluate (e.g., through the use of an in-line buffer adjustment reservoir). The buffer can be added to the eluate from the MCCS1 at a flow rate of, e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 12.5 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 10.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 8.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 6 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to 4 mL/minute, or between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 5 mL/minute).

The processes described herein can further include a step of holding or storing (and optionally also refrigerating) the eluate from the MCCS1 prior to feeding the eluate from the MCCS1 into the MCCS2. As described herein, this holding or storing step can be performed using any of the reservoirs (e.g., back-up tanks) described herein.

The processes described herein can also include a step of filtering the eluate from the MCCS1 before the eluate is fed into the MCCS2. Any of the exemplary filters or methods for filtration described herein can be used to filter the eluate from the MCCS1 before the eluate is fed into the MCCS2.

Polishing and Purifying the Recombinant Protein

The MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying and polishing the recombinant protein. For example, the MCCS2 can be used to perform the operation of purifying and polishing the recombinant protein and the eluate from the MCCS2 is a protein drug substance. The MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 can include at least one (e.g., two, three, or four) chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying a recombinant protein, and at least one (e.g., two, three, or four) chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein.

The at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can include a resin that utilizes a capture mechanism (e.g., any of the capture mechanisms described herein or known in the art), or a resin that can be used to perform anion exchange, cation exchange, molecular sieve, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit of operation of polishing the recombinant protein can include a resin that can be used to perform anion exchange, cation exchange, molecular sieve, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography (e.g., any of the exemplary resins for performing anion exchange, cation exchange, molecular sieve, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography described herein or known in the art).

The size, shape, and volume of the at least one chromatography column or chromatography membrane that can be used to perform the unit of operation of purifying the recombinant protein, and/or the size and shape of the at least one chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit of operation of polishing the recombinant protein can any of combination of the exemplary sizes, shapes, and volumes of chromatography columns or chromatographic membranes described herein. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the step of purifying or polishing a recombinant protein can, e.g., include the steps of loading, washing, eluting, and equilibrating the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit of operation of purifying or polishing the recombinant protein. Typically, the elution buffer coming out of a chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of purifying includes the recombinant protein. Typically, the loading and/or wash buffer coming out of a chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of polishing includes the recombinant protein.

For example, the size of the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can have a volume of, e.g., between about 2.0 mL to about 200 mL (e.g., between about 2.0 mL to about 180 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 160 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 140 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 120 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 100 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 80 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 60 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 40 mL, between about 5.0 mL to about 40 mL, between about 2.0 mL to about 30 mL, between about 5.0 mL to about 30 mL, or between about 2.0 mL to about 25 mL). The flow rate of the fluid including the recombinant protein as it is loaded onto the at least one chromatography column or at least one chromatographic that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 12.5 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 10.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 8.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 6 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to 4 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 3 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 2 mL/minute, or about 0.2 mL/minute to about 4 mL/minute). The concentration of the recombinant protein in the fluid loaded onto the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 0.05 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL recombinant protein (e.g., between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 90 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 80 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 70 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 60 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 40 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 30 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, or between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL recombinant protein). The resin in the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform unit operation of purifying can be a resin that can be used to perform anion exchange or cation exchange chromatography. The resin in the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that is used to perform the unit operation of purifying can be a cationic exchange resin (e.g., Capto-S resin, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Piscataway, N.J.).

Following the loading of the recombinant protein onto the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein, the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane is washed with at least one washing buffer. As can be appreciated in the art, the at least one (e.g., two, three, or four) washing buffer is meant to elute all proteins that are not the recombinant protein from the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane, while not disturbing the interaction of the recombinant protein with the resin or otherwise eluting the recombinant protein.

The wash buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane at a flow rate of between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of wash buffer used (e.g., combined total volume of wash buffer used when more than one wash buffer is used) can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 15× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 2.5× CV to about 5.0× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV). The total time of the washing can be, e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 3 hours (e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 2.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 2.0 hours, between about 5 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 10 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 10 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 20 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 30 minutes to about 1 hour, between about 2 minutes and 10 minutes, between about 2 minutes and 15 minutes, or between about 2 minutes and 30 minutes).

Following the washing of the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein, the recombinant protein is eluted from the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane by passing an elution buffer through the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein. The elution buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein at a flow rate of between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute and about 6.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 5.0 mg/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, or between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of elution buffer used to elute the recombinant protein from each the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 25× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 20× CV, between about 15× CV and about 25× CV, between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV). The total time of the eluting can be, e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 3 hours (e.g., between about 2 minutes to about 2.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 2.0 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1 hour, between about 2 minutes and about 40 minutes, between about 10 minutes and about 40 minutes, between about 20 minutes and about 40 minutes, or between about 30 minutes and 1.0 hour). Non-limiting examples of elution buffers that can be used in these methods will depend on the resin and/or the biophysical properties of the recombinant protein. For example, an elution buffer can include a different concentration of salt (e.g., increased salt concentration), a different pH (e.g., an increased or decreased salt concentration), or a molecule that will compete with the recombinant protein for binding to the resin. Examples of such elution buffers for each of the exemplary capture mechanisms described herein are well known in the art.

Following the elution of the recombinant protein from the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein, and before the next volume of fluid including a recombinant protein can be loaded onto the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane, the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane must be equilibrated using an regeneration buffer. The regeneration buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein at a flow rate of, e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute and about 6.0 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 5.0 mg/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, between about 5.0 mL/minute to about 15.0 mL/minute, or between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of regeneration buffer used to equilibrate the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that includes a resin that can be used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 15× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, between about 1× CV to about 13× CV, between about 1× CV to about 12× CV, between about 1× CV to about 11× CV, between about 2× CV to about 11× CV, between about 3× CV to about 11× CV, between about 2× CV to about 5× CV, between about 2.5× CV to about 7.5× CV, between about 4× CV to about 11× CV, between about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or between about 5× CV to about 10× CV). The concentration of recombinant protein in the eluate of the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 0.05 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL recombinant protein (e.g., between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 90 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 80 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 70 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 60 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 40 mg/mL, between about 2.5 mg/mL and about 7.5 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 30 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, or between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL recombinant protein).

The at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein can include a resin that can be used to perform cation exchange, anion exchange, or molecular sieve chromatography. As can be appreciated in the art, polishing a recombinant protein using the at least one chromatography column or chromatography membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein can include, e.g., the steps of loading, chasing, and regenerating the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein. For example, when the steps of loading, chasing, and regenerating are used to perform the polishing, the recombinant protein does not bind the resin in the at least one chromatography column or chromatography membrane that is used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein, and the recombinant protein is eluted from the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane in the loading and chasing steps, and the regenerating step is used to remove any impurities from the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane before additional fluid including the recombinant protein can be loaded onto the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane. Exemplary flow rates and buffer volumes to be used in each of the loading, chasing, and regenerating steps are described below.

The size, shape, and volume of the at least one chromatography column or chromatography membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein, and/or the size and shape of the at least one chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein can any of combination of the exemplary sizes, shapes, and volumes of chromatography columns or chromatographic membranes described herein. For example, the size of the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein can have a volume of, e.g., between about 0.5 mL to about 200 mL (e.g., between about 0.5 mL to about 180 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 160 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 140 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 120 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 100 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 80 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 60 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 40 mL, between about 5.0 mL to about 40 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 30 mL, between about 5.0 mL to about 30 mL, between about 0.5 mL to about 25 mL, between about 0.2 mL to about 10 mL, or between about 0.2 mL to about 5 mL). The flow rate of the fluid including the recombinant protein as it is loaded onto the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 25 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 12.5 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 10.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 8.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 6 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to 4 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 3 mL/minute, between about 2 mL/minute and about 6 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 2 mL/minute, or about 0.2 mL/minute to about 4 mL/minute). The total volume of fluid including a recombinant protein loaded onto the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein can be, e.g., between about 1.0 mL to about 250 mL (e.g., between about 1.0 mL to about 225 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 200 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 175 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 150 mL, between about 100 mL to about 125 mL, between about 100 mL to about 150 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 150 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 125 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 100 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 75 mL, between about 1.0 mL to about 50 mL, or between about 1.0 mL to about 25 mL). The resin in the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane used to perform the polishing can be an anion exchange or cation exchange resin. The resin in the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that is used to perform the unit operation of polishing can be a cationic exchange resin (e.g., Sartobind® Q resin, Sartorius, Goettingen, Germany).

Following the loading step, a chasing step is performed (e.g., a chase buffer is passed through the at least one chromatography membrane or chromatographic membrane to collect the recombinant protein which does not substantially bind to the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane). In these examples, the chase buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane at a flow rate of between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 50 mL/minute (e.g., between about 1 mL/minute to about 40 mL/minute, between about 1 mL/minute to about 30 mL/minute, between about 5 mL/minute to about 45 mL/minute, between about 10 mL/minute to about 40 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, or between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of chase buffer used can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 100× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 90× CV, between about 1× CV to about 80× CV, between about 1× CV to about 70× CV, between about 1× CV to about 60× CV, between about 1× to about 50× CV, between about 1× CV to about 40× CV, between about 1× CV to about 30× CV, between about 1× CV to about 20× CV, between about 1× CV to about 15× CV, between about 5× CV to about 20× CV, between about 5× CV to about 30× CV, between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 2.5× CV to about 5.0× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV). The total time of the chasing can be, e.g., between about 1 minute to about 3 hours (e.g., between about 1 minute to about 2.5 hours, between about 1 minute to about 2.0 hours, between about 1 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.5 hours, between about 1 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 2 minutes to about 1.25 hours, between about 1 minute to about 5 minutes, between about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, between about 2 minutes to about 4 minutes, between about 30 minutes to about 1 hour, between about 2 minutes and 10 minutes, between about 2 minutes and 15 minutes, or between about 2 minutes and 30 minutes). The combined concentration of recombinant protein present in the eluate coming through the column in the loading step and the chasing step can be, e.g., between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL recombinant protein (e.g., between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 90 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 80 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 70 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 60 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 40 mg/mL, between about 2.5 mg/mL and about 7.5 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 30 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 15 mg/mL, between about 0.1 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, between about 0.5 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, or between about 1 mg/mL and about 5 mg/mL recombinant protein).

Following the chasing step and before the next volume of fluid including the recombinant protein can be loaded onto the at least one chromatographic column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing, the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane must be regenerated using a regeneration buffer. The regeneration buffer can be passed through the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein at a flow rate of, e.g., between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 50 mL/minute (e.g., between about 1 mL/minute to about 40 mL/minute, between about 1 mL/minute to about 30 mL/minute, between about 5 mL/minute to about 45 mL/minute, between about 10 mL/minute to about 40 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 20 mL/minute, between about 0.2 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 10 mL/minute, between about 0.5 mL minute and about 14 mL/minute, between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 25.0 mL/minute, or between about 1.0 mL/minute and about 15.0 mL/minute). The volume of regeneration buffer used to regenerate the at least one chromatography column or chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing can be, e.g., between about 1× column volume (CV) to about 500× CV (e.g., between about 1× CV to about 450× CV, between about 1× CV to about 400× CV, between about 1× CV to about 350× CV, between about 1× CV to about 300× CV, between about 1× CV to about 250× CV, between about 1× CV to about 200× CV, between about 1× CV to about 150× CV, between about 1× CV to about 100× CV, between about 1× CV to about 90× CV, between about 1× CV to about 80× CV, between about 1× CV to about 70× CV, between about 1× CV to about 60× CV, between about 1× to about 50× CV, between about 1× CV to about 40× CV, between about 1× CV to about 30× CV, between about 1× CV to about 20× CV, between about 1× CV to about 15× CV, between about 5× CV to about 20× CV, between about 5× CV to about 30× CV, between about 1× CV to about 14× CV, about 1× CV to about 13× CV, about 1× CV to about 12× CV, about 1× CV to about 11× CV, about 2× CV to about 11× CV, about 3× CV to about 11× CV, about 4× CV to about 11× CV, about 2.5× CV to about 5.0× CV, about 5× CV to about 11× CV, or about 5× CV to about 10× CV).

In other examples, the one or more chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membranes used to perform the unit operation of polishing include a resin that selectively binds or retains the impurities present in a fluid including the recombinant protein, and instead of regenerating the one or more column(s) and/or membrane(s), the one or more column(s) and/or membrane(s) are replaced (e.g., replaced with a substantially similar column(s) and/or membrane(s)) once the binding capacity of the resin in the one or more column(s) and/or membrane(s) has been reached or is substantially close to being reached.

In some examples of these processes described herein, the MCCS2 includes a PCCS including three chromatography columns and one chromatographic membrane, e.g., where the three chromatography columns in the PCCS perform the unit operation of purifying the recombinant protein (e.g., using at least one chromatography column(s) that can be used to perform the unit of operation of purifying the protein) and the chromatographic membrane in the PCCS performs the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein. In these examples, the chromatographic membrane in the PCCS that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the therapeutic protein can be any of the exemplary chromatographic membranes described herein that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein. Any of the column switching methods described herein can be used to determine when the first three chromatography columns and the chromatographic membrane in the PCCS in this example can be switched.

Some embodiments of this example can further include a step of adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of the eluate from the three chromatographic columns in the PCCS before the eluate is fed into the chromatographic membrane in the PCCS. As described herein, the ionic concentration and/or pH of the eluate from the three chromatography columns in PCCS can be adjusted (before it is fed into the chromatographic membrane in the PCCS in this example)) by adding a buffer to the eluate of the three chromatography columns in the PCCS (e.g., through the use of an in-line buffer adjustment reservoir). The buffer can be added to the eluate at a flow rate of, e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 15 mL/minute (e.g., between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 12.5 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 10.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 8.0 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to about 6 mL/minute, between about 0.1 mL/minute to 4 mL/minute, or between about 0.5 mL/minute to about 5 mL/minute).

These examples can further include a step of holding or storing the eluate from the three chromatography columns in the PCCS in this example prior to feeding the eluate into the chromatographic membrane (chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein). As described herein, this holding or storing step can be performed using any of the reservoirs (e.g., back-up tanks) described herein.

These examples can also include a step of filtering the eluate from the chromatographic membrane in the exemplary PCCS system (eluate of the chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein). Any of the exemplary filters or methods for filtration described herein can be used to filter the eluate from the chromatographic membrane in this exemplary PCCS (eluate of the chromatographic membrane that can be used to perform the unit operation of polishing the recombinant protein).

As can be appreciated by those in the art, the purified recombinant protein can be periodically eluted from the MCCS or MCCS2 using any of the processes described herein. For example, any of the processes described herein can elute the purified recombinant protein for a duration of, e.g., between about 30 seconds and about 5 hours (e.g., between about 1 minute and about 4 hours, between about 1 minute and about 3 hours, between about 1 minute and about 2 hours, between about 1 minute or about 1.5 hours, between about 1 minute and about 1 hour, or between about 1 minute and about 30 minutes) at a frequency of, e.g., between about 1 minute and about 6 hours (e.g., between about 1 minute and about 5 hours, between about 1 minute and about 4 hours, between about 1 minute and about 3 hours, between about 1 minute and 2 hours, between about 1 minute and 1 hour, or between about 1 minute and 30 minutes), depending on, e.g., the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) used in the MCCS or the MCCS1 and MCCS2.

Culturing Methods

Some of the processes described herein further include a step of culturing cells (e.g., recombinant mammalian cells) that secrete a recombinant protein in a bioreactor (e.g., a perfusion or fed-batch bioreactor) that includes a liquid culture medium, wherein a volume of the liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells (e.g., mammalian cells) is continuously or periodically removed from the bioreactor (e.g., perfusion bioreactor) and fed into the MCCS or MCCS1. The bioreactor can have a volume of, e.g., between about 1 L to about 10,000 L (e.g., between about 1 L to about 50 L, between about 50 L to about 500 L, between about 500 L to about 1000 L, between 500 L to about 5000 L, between about 500 L to about 10,000 L, between about 5000 L to about 10,000 L, between about 1 L and about 10,000 L, between about 1 L and about 8,000 L, between about 1 L and about 6,000 L, between about 1 L and about 5,000 L, between about 100 L and about 5,000 L, between about 10 L and about 100 L, between about 10 L and about 4,000 L, between about 10 L and about 3,000 L, between about 10 L and about 2,000 L, or between about 10 L and about 1,000 L). The amount of liquid culture medium present in a bioreactor can be, e.g., between about between about 0.5 L to about 5,000 L (e.g., between about 0.5 L to about 25 L, between about 25 L to about 250 L, between about 250 L to about 500 L, between 250 L to about 2500 L, between about 250 L to about 5,000 L, between about 2500 L to about 5,000 L, between about 0.5 L and about 5,000 L, between about 0.5 L and about 4,000 L, between about 0.5 L and about 3,000 L, between about 0.5 L and about 2,500 L, between about 50 L and about 2,500 L, between about 5 L and about 50 L, between about 5 L and about 2,000 L, between about 5 L and about 1,500 L, between about 5 L and about 1,000 L, or between about 5 L and about 500 L). Culturing cells can be performed, e.g., using a fed-batch bioreactor or a perfusion bioreactor. Non-limiting examples and different aspects of culturing cells (e.g., culturing mammalian cells) are described below and can be used in any combination.

Cells

The cells that are cultured in some of the processes described herein can be bacteria (e.g., gram negative bacteria), yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, Hansenula polymorpha, Kluyveromyces lactis, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Yarrowia lipolytica, or Arxula adeninivorans), or mammalian cells. The mammalian cell can be a cell that grows in suspension or an adherent cell. Non-limiting examples of mammalian cells that can be cultured in any of the processes described herein include: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (e.g., CHO DG44 cells or CHO-K1s cells), Sp2.0, myeloma cells (e.g., NS/0), B-cells, hybridoma cells, T-cells, human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells (e.g., HEK 293E and HEK 293F), African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) cells, and Madin-Darby Canine (Cocker Spaniel) kidney epithelial cells (MDCK) cells. In some examples where an adherent cell is cultured, the culture can also include a plurality of microcarriers (e.g., microcarriers that include one or more pores). Additional mammalian cells that can be cultured in any of the processes described herein are known in the art.

The mammalian cell can include a recombinant nucleic acid (e.g., a nucleic acid stably integrated in the mammalian cell's genome) that encodes a recombinant protein (e.g., a recombinant protein). Non-limiting examples of recombinant nucleic acids that encode exemplary recombinant proteins are described below, as are recombinant proteins that can be produced using the methods described herein. In some instances, the mammalian cell that is cultured in a bioreactor (e.g., any of the bioreactors described herein) was derived from a larger culture.

A nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein can be introduced into a mammalian cell using a wide variety of methods known in molecular biology and molecular genetics. Non-limiting examples include transfection (e.g., lipofection), transduction (e.g., lentivirus, adenovirus, or retrovirus infection), and electroporation. In some instances, the nucleic acid that encodes a recombinant protein is not stably integrated into a chromosome of the mammalian cell (transient transfection), while in others the nucleic acid is integrated. Alternatively or in addition, the nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein can be present in a plasmid and/or in a mammalian artificial chromosome (e.g., a human artificial chromosome). Alternatively or in addition, the nucleic acid can be introduced into the cell using a viral vector (e.g., a lentivirus, retrovirus, or adenovirus vector). The nucleic acid can be operably linked to a promoter sequence (e.g., a strong promoter, such as a β-actin promoter and CMV promoter, or an inducible promoter). A vector including the nucleic acid can, if desired, also include a selectable marker (e.g., a gene that confers hygromycin, puromycin, or neomycin resistance to the mammalian cell).

In some instances, the recombinant protein is a secreted protein and is released by the mammalian cell into the extracellular medium (e.g., the first and/or second liquid culture medium). For example, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a soluble recombinant protein can include a sequence that encodes a secretion signal peptide at the N- or C-terminus of the recombinant protein, which is cleaved by an enzyme present in the mammalian cell, and subsequently released into the extracellular medium (e.g., the first and/or second liquid culture medium).

Culture Media

Liquid culture media are known in the art. The liquid culture media (e.g., a first and/or second tissue culture medium) can be supplemented with a mammalian serum (e.g., fetal calf serum and bovine serum), and/or a growth hormone or growth factor (e.g., insulin, transferrin, and epidermal growth factor). Alternatively or in addition, the liquid culture media (e.g., a first and/or second liquid culture medium) can be a chemically-defined liquid culture medium, an animal-derived component free liquid culture medium, a serum-free liquid culture medium, or a serum-containing liquid culture medium. Non-limiting examples of chemically-defined liquid culture media, animal-derived component free liquid culture media, serum-free liquid culture media, and serum-containing liquid culture media are commercially available.

A liquid culture medium typically includes an energy source (e.g., a carbohydrate, such as glucose), essential amino acids (e.g., the basic set of twenty amino acids plus cysteine), vitamins and/or other organic compounds required at low concentrations, free fatty acids, and/or trace elements. The liquid culture media (e.g., a first and/or second liquid culture medium) can, if desired, be supplemented with, e.g., a mammalian hormone or growth factor (e.g., insulin, transferrin, or epidermal growth factor), salts and buffers (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and phosphate salts), nucleosides and bases (e.g., adenosine, thymidine, and hypoxanthine), protein and tissue hydrolysates, and/or any combination of these additives.

A wide variety of different liquid culture media that can be used to culture cells (e.g., mammalian cells) in any of the methods described herein are known in the art. Medium components that also may be useful in the present processes include, but are not limited to, chemically-defined (CD) hydrolysates, e.g., CD peptone, CD polypeptides (two or more amino acids), and CD growth factors. Additional examples of liquid tissue culture medium and medium components are known in the art.

Skilled practitioners will appreciate that the first liquid culture medium and the second liquid culture medium described herein can be the same type of media or different media.

Additional Features of Exemplary Bioreactors

The interior surface of any of the bioreactors described herein may have at least one coating (e.g., at least one coating of gelatin, collagen, poly-L-ornithine, polystyrene, and laminin), and as is known in the art, one or more ports for the sparging of O₂, CO₂, and N₂ into the liquid culture medium, and a stir mechanism for agitating the liquid culture medium. The bioreactor can incubate the cell culture in a controlled humidified atmosphere (e.g., at a humidity of greater than 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, or a humidity of 100%). The bioreactor can also be equipped with a mechanical device that is capable of removing a volume of liquid culture medium from the bioreactor and optionally, a filter within the mechanical device that removes the cells from the liquid culture medium during the process of transfer of the liquid culture medium out of the bioreactor (e.g., an ATF system or the cell filtering system described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/878,502).

Temperature

The step of culturing of mammalian cells can be performed at a temperature of about 31° C. to about 40° C. Skilled practitioners will appreciate that the temperature can be changed at specific time point(s) in during the culturing step, e.g., on an hourly or daily basis. For example, the temperature can be changed or shifted (e.g., increased or decreased) at about one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, seven days, eight days, nine days, ten days, eleven days, twelve days, fourteen days, fifteen days, sixteen days, seventeen days, eighteen days, nineteen days, or about twenty days or more after the initial seeding of the bioreactor with the cell (e.g., mammalian cell). For example, the temperature can be shifted upwards (e.g., a change of up to or about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or up to or about 20° C.). For example, the temperature can be shifted downwards (e.g., a change of up to or about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or up to or about 20° C.).

CO₂

The culturing step described herein can further include exposing the liquid culture medium in the bioreactor to an atmosphere including at most or about 15% CO₂ (e.g., at most or about 14% CO₂, 12% CO₂, 10% CO₂, 8% CO₂, 6% CO₂, 5% CO₂, 4% CO₂, 3% CO₂, 2% CO₂, or at most or about 1% CO₂).

Perfusion Bioreactor

The culturing step described herein can be performed using a perfusion bioreactor. Culturing a cell (e.g., a mammalian cell) in a perfusion bioreactor includes the removal from the bioreactor of a first volume of a first liquid culture medium (e.g., including any concentration of mammalian cells, e.g., a first volume of a first liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells), and adding to the first liquid culture medium a second volume of a second liquid culture medium. Removal and adding can be performed simultaneously or sequentially, or a combination of the two. Further, removal and adding can be performed continuously (e.g., at a rate that removes and replaces a volume of between 0.1% to 800% (e.g., between 1% and 700%, between 1% and 600%, between 1% and 500%, between 1% and 400%, between 1% and 350%, between 1% and 300%, between 1% and 250%, between 1% and 100%, between 100% and 200%, between 5% and 150%, between 10% and 50%, between 15% and 40%, between 8% and 80%, or between 4% and 30%) of the volume of the bioreactor or the first liquid culture medium volume over any given time period (e.g., over a 24-hour period, over an incremental time period of about 1 hour to about 24 hours, or over an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours)) or periodically (e.g., once every third day, once every other day, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, four times a day, or five times a day), or any combination thereof. Where performed periodically, the volume that is removed or replaced (e.g., within about a 24-hour period, within an incremental time period of about 1 hour to about 24 hours, or within an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) can be, e.g., between 0.1% to 800% (e.g., between 1% and 700%, between 1% and 600%, between 1% and 500%, between 1% and 400%, between 1% and 300%, between 1% and 200%, between 1% and 100%, between 100% and 200%, between 5% and 150%, between 10% and 50%, between 15% and 40%, between 8% and 80%, or between 4% and 30%) of the volume of the bioreactor or the first liquid culture medium volume. The first volume of the first liquid culture medium removed and the second volume of the second liquid culture medium added can in some instances be held approximately the same over each 24-hour period (or, alternatively, an incremental time period of about 1 hour to about 24 hours or an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) over the entire or part of the culturing period. As is known in the art, the rate at which the first volume of the first liquid culture medium is removed (volume/unit of time) and the rate at which the second volume of the second liquid culture medium is added (volume/unit of time) can be varied. The rate at which the first volume of the first liquid culture medium is removed (volume/unit of time) and the rate at which the second volume of the second liquid culture medium is added (volume/unit of time) can be about the same or can be different.

Alternatively, the volume removed and added can change (e.g., gradually increase) over each 24-hour period (or alternatively, an incremental time period of between 1 hour and about 24 hours or an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) during the culturing period. For example the volume of the first liquid culture medium removed and the volume of the second liquid culture medium added within each 24-hour period (or alternatively, an incremental time period of between about 1 hour and above 24 hours or an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) over the culturing period can be increased (e.g., gradually or through staggered increments) over the culturing period from a volume that is between 0.5% to about 20% of the bioreactor volume or the first liquid culture medium volume to about 25% to about 150% of the bioreactor volume or the first liquid culture medium volume.

Skilled practitioners will appreciate that the first liquid culture medium and the second liquid culture medium can be the same type of media. In other instances, the first liquid culture medium and the second liquid culture medium can be different.

The first volume of the first liquid culture medium can be removed, e.g., by a mechanical system that can remove the first volume of the first liquid culture medium from the bioreactor (e.g., the first volume of the first liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells from the bioreactor). Alternatively or in addition, the first volume of the first liquid culture medium can be removed by seeping or gravity flow of the first volume of the first liquid culture medium through a sterile membrane with a molecular weight cut-off that excludes the cell (e.g., mammalian cell).

The second volume of the second liquid culture medium can be added to the first liquid culture medium in an automated fashion, e.g., by perfusion pump.

In some instances, removing the first volume of the first liquid culture medium (e.g., a first volume of the first liquid culture medium that is substantially free of mammalian cells) and adding to the first liquid culture medium a second volume of the second liquid culture medium does not occur within at least 1 hour (e.g., within 2 hours, within 3 hours, within 4 hours, within 5 hours, within 6 hours, within 7 hours, within 8 hours, within 9 hours, within 10 hours, within 12 hours, within 14 hours, within 16 hours, within 18 hours, within 24 hours, within 36 hours, within 48 hours, within 72 hours, within 96 hours, or after 96 hours) of the seeding of the bioreactor with a mammalian cell.

Fed-Batch Bioreactor

The culturing step described herein can be performed using a fed-batch bioreactor. Culturing a cell in a fed-batch bioreactor includes, over the majority of the culturing period, the addition (e.g., periodic or continuous addition) to the first liquid culture medium of a second volume of a second liquid culture medium. The adding of the second liquid culture medium can be performed continuously (e.g., at a rate that adds a volume of between 0.1% to 300% (e.g., between 1% and 250%, between 1% and 100%, between 100% and 200%, between 5% and 150%, between 10% and 50%, between 15% and 40%, between 8% and 80%, or between 4% and 30%) of the volume of the bioreactor or the first liquid culture medium volume over any given time period (e.g., over a 24-hour period, over an incremental time period of about 1 hour to about 24 hours, or over an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours)) or periodically (e.g., once every third day, once every other day, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, four times a day, or five times a day), or any combination thereof. Where performed periodically, the volume that is added (e.g., within about a 24-hour period, within an incremental time period of about 1 hour to about 24 hours, or within an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) can be, e.g., between 0.1% to 300% (e.g., between 1% and 200%, between 1% and 100%, between 100% and 200%, between 5% and 150%, between 10% and 50%, between 15% and 40%, between 8% and 80%, or between 4% and 30%) of the volume of the bioreactor or the first liquid culture medium volume. The second volume of the second liquid culture medium added can in some instances be held approximately the same over each 24-hour period (or, alternatively, an incremental time period of about 1 hour to about 24 hours or an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) over the entire or part of the culturing period. As is known in the art, the rate at which the second volume of the second liquid culture medium is added (volume/unit of time) can be varied over the entire or part of the culturing period. For example, the volume of the second liquid culture medium added can change (e.g., gradually increase) over each 24-hour period (or alternatively, an incremental time period of between 1 hour and about 24 hours or an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) during the culturing period. For example the volume of the second liquid culture medium added within each 24-hour period (or alternatively, an incremental time period of between about 1 hour and above 24 hours or an incremental time period of greater than 24 hours) over the culturing period can be increased (e.g., gradually or through staggered increments) over the culturing period from a volume that is between 0.5% to about 20% of the bioreactor volume or the first liquid culture medium volume to about 25% to about 150% of the bioreactor volume or the first liquid culture medium volume. The rate at which the second volume of the second liquid culture medium is added (volume/unit of time) can be about the same over the entire or part of the culturing period.

Skilled practitioners will appreciate that the first liquid culture medium and the second liquid culture medium can be the same type of media. In other instances, the first liquid culture medium and the second liquid culture medium can be different. The volume of the second liquid culture medium can be added to the first liquid culture medium in an automated fashion, e.g., by perfusion pump.

In some instances, adding to the first liquid culture medium a second volume of the second liquid culture medium does not occur within at least 1 hour (e.g., within 2 hours, within 3 hours, within 4 hours, within 5 hours, within 6 hours, within 7 hours, within 8 hours, within 9 hours, within 10 hours, within 12 hours, within 14 hours, within 16 hours, within 18 hours, within 24 hours, within 36 hours, within 48 hours, within 72 hours, within 96 hours, or after 96 hours) of the seeding of the bioreactor with a mammalian cell. The cell culture medium in fed-batch cultures is typically harvested at the end of culture period and used in any of the processes described herein, however, the cell culture medium in fed-batch cultures can also be harvested at one or more time points during the culturing period and used in any of the processes described herein.

Skilled practitioners will appreciate that any of the various culture parameters (e.g., containers, volumes, rates or frequencies of replacing culture volumes, agitation frequencies, temperatures, media, and CO₂ concentrations) can be used in any combination in to perform these methods. Further, any of the mammalian cells described herein or known in the art can be used to produce a recombinant protein.

Exemplary Biological Manufacturing Systems

Examples of biological manufacturing systems useful for performing the processes described herein and that include a MCCS or a MCCS1 and MCCS2 are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/775,060 and 61/856,390 (incorporated by reference). In these exemplary systems, at least one (e.g., at least two, three, four, five, or six) chromatography column including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin is present in the MCCS or in the MCCS1 and/or MCCS2. For example, the entire system can include a total of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, or twenty chromatography columns including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. For example, the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2 can include (or can each include) one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten chromatography columns including a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin.

For example, useful systems can include a MCCS1 that includes an inlet and a MCCS2 that includes an outlet, or an MCCS that includes an inlet and an outlet. In some embodiments, the MCCS1 and MCCS2 are in fluid communication with each other. These systems can also be configured such that fluid can be passed into the inlet, through the MCCS1 and MCCS2, and exit the manufacturing system through the outlet. These systems provide for the continuous and time-efficient production of a therapeutic drug substance from a liquid culture medium. For example, the elapsed time between feeding a fluid (e.g., a liquid culture medium) including a therapeutic protein into the MCCS1 and eluting purified recombinant protein (e.g., therapeutic protein drug substance) from the outlet of the MCCS2 can be, e.g., between about 4 hours and about 48 hours, inclusive.

Some exemplary systems do not include a break tank. In others, the system can include a maximum of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 break tank(s) in the entire system (e.g., where each break tank only holds a therapeutic protein for a total time period of, e.g., between about 5 minutes and about 6 hours, inclusive). The break tank(s) can have a capacity that is between 1 mL and about 300 mL, inclusive. Any break tank(s) disposed in the system such that fluid enters the break tank(s) prior to entering MCCS1 or MCCS can have a capacity that is between 1 mL and about 100%, inclusive, of the loading volume of the first column of the MCCS1 or MCCS, respectively. Any break tanks(s) disposed in the system such that fluid enters the break tank(s) prior to entering the MCCS2 (and after exiting the MCCS1) can have a capacity that is, e.g., between 1 mL and about 100%, inclusive, of the loading volume of the first column of the MCCS2.

Additional Exemplary System Structures and Features

The MCCS or MCCS1 can include an inlet through which fluid (e.g., a liquid culture medium that is substantially free of cells) can be passed into the MCCS or MCCS1, respectively. The inlet can be any structure known in the art for such purposes. It can include, e.g., a threading, ribbing, or a seal that allows for a fluid conduit to be inserted, such that after insertion of the fluid conduit into the inlet, fluid will enter the MCCS or MCCS1 through the inlet without significant seepage of fluid out of the inlet. Non-limiting inlets that can be used in the present systems are known and would be understood by those in the art.

The MCCS or MCCS1 can include at least two chromatography columns, at least two chromatographic membranes, or at least one chromatography column and at least one chromatographic membrane, and an inlet. The MCCS or MCCS1 can be any of the exemplary MCCSs described herein, or have one or more of any of the exemplary features of an MCCS (in any combination) described herein. The chromatography column(s) and/or the chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 can have one or more of any of the exemplary shapes, sizes, volumes (bed volumes), and/or unit operation(s) described herein.

The chromatography column(s) and/or the chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 can include one or more of any of the exemplary resins described herein or known in the art. For example, the resin included in one or more of the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 can be a resin that utilizes a capture mechanism (e.g., protein A-binding capture mechanism, protein G-binding capture mechanism, antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, substrate-binding capture mechanism, cofactor-binding capture mechanism, an aptamer-binding capture mechanism, and/or a tag-binding capture mechanism). The resin included in one or more of the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) of the MCCS or MCCS1 can be a cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin, a molecular sieve resin, or a hydrophobic interaction resin, or any combination thereof. Additional examples of resins that can be used to purify a recombinant protein are known in the art, and can be included in one or more of the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1. The chromatography column(s) and/or chromatography membranes present in the MCCS or MCCS1 can include the same and/or different resins (e.g., any of the resins described herein or known in the art for use in recombinant protein purification).

The two or more chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic resin(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 can perform one or more unit operations (e.g., capturing a recombinant protein, purifying a recombinant protein, polishing a recombinant protein, inactivating viruses, adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a fluid including the recombinant protein, or filtering a fluid including a recombinant protein). In non-limiting examples, the MCCS or MCCS1 can perform the unit operations of capturing a recombinant protein from a fluid (e.g., a liquid culture medium) and inactivating viruses present in the fluid including the recombinant protein. The MCCS or MCCS1 can perform any combinations of two of more unit operations described herein or known in the art.

The chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS or MCCS1 can be connected or moved with respect to each other by a switching mechanism (e.g., a column-switching mechanism). The MCCS or MCCS1 can also include one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or five) pumps (e.g., automated, e.g., automated peristaltic pumps). The column-switching events can be triggered by the detection of a level of recombinant protein detected by UV absorbance corresponding to a certain level of recombinant protein in the fluid passing through the MCCS or MCCS1 (e.g., the input into and/or eluate from one or more of the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membranes in the MCCS or MCCS1), a specific volume of liquid (e.g., buffer), or specific time elapsed. Column switching generally means a mechanism by which at least two different chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes in an MCCS or MCCS1 (e.g., two or more different chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes present in the MCCS1 or MCCS2) are allowed to pass through a different step (e.g., equilibration, loading, eluting, or washing) at substantially the same time during at least part of the process.

The MCCS or MCCS1 can be a Periodic Counter-Current Chromatography system (PCCS). For example, the PCCS that is the MCCS or MCCS1 (i.e., PCCS or PCCS1, respectively) can include four chromatography columns, where the first three columns perform the unit operation of capturing a recombinant protein from a fluid (e.g., a liquid culture medium), and the fourth column of the PCCS performs the unit operation of inactivating viruses in the fluid including the recombinant protein. A PCCS that is the MCCS or MCCS1 can utilize a column-switching mechanism. The PCC system can utilize a modified ÄKTA system (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.) capable of running up to, e.g., four, five, six, seven, or eight columns, or more.

The MCCS or MCCS1 can be equipped with: one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) UV monitors, one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) valves, one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) pH meters, and/or one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) conductivity meters. The MCCS or MCCS1 can also be equipped with an operating system that utilizes software (e.g., Unicorn-based software, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.) for sensing when a column-switching should occur (e.g., based upon UV absorbance, volume of liquid, or time elapsed) and affecting (triggering) the column-switching events.

The MCCS or MCCS1 can further include one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, or twenty-four) in-line buffer adjustment reservoir(s) and/or a buffer reservoir(s). In other examples, the MCCS or MCCS1 can include one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, or six) break tanks that can hold fluid that cannot readily pass into one or more of the chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes in the MCCS or MCCS1. The systems described herein can include one or more break tanks (e.g., a break tank described herein) in the MCCS, MCCS1, and/or MCCS2. Other examples of the systems described herein do not include a break tank in the MCCS, MCCS1, or MCCS2, or do not include a break tank in the entire system. Other examples of the systems described herein include a maximum of one, two, three, four, or five break tank(s) (e.g., any break tank(s) described herein) in the entire system.

Second MCCS

The second MCCS (MCCS2) in the exemplary systems includes at least two chromatography columns, at least two chromatographic membranes, or at least one chromatography column(s) and at least one chromatographic membrane(s), and an outlet. The MCCS2 can any of the exemplary MCCSs described herein, or can have one or more of any of the exemplary features of an MCCS (in any combination) described herein. The chromatography column(s) and/or the chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS2 can have one or more of: any of the shapes, sizes, volumes (bed volumes), and/or unit operations described herein. The chromatography column(s) and/or the chromatographic membrane(s) can include any of the exemplary resins described herein or known in the art. For example, the resin included in one or more of the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS2 can be a resin that utilizes a capture mechanism (e.g., protein A-binding capture mechanism, protein G-binding capture mechanism, antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, substrate-binding capture mechanism, cofactor-binding capture mechanism, tag-binding capture mechanism, and/or aptamer-binding capture mechanism). Useful resins include, e.g., a cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin, a molecular sieve resin, and a hydrophobic interaction resin. Additional examples of resins are known in the art. The chromatography column(s) and/or chromatography membranes present in the MCCS2 can include the same and/or different resins (e.g., any of the resins described herein or known in the art for use in recombinant protein purification).

The chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS2 can perform one or more unit operations (e.g., any of the unit operations described herein or any combination of the unit operations described herein). In non-limiting examples, the MCCS2 can perform the unit operations of purifying a recombinant protein from a fluid and polishing the recombinant protein present in the fluid including the recombinant protein. In other non-limiting examples, the MCCS2 can perform the unit operations of purifying a recombinant protein present in a fluid, polishing a recombinant protein present in a fluid, and filtering a fluid including a recombinant protein. In another example, the MCCS2 can perform the unit operations of purifying a recombinant protein present in a fluid, polishing a recombinant protein present in a fluid, filtering a fluid including a recombinant protein, and adjusting the ionic concentration and/or pH of a fluid including a recombinant protein. The MCCS2 can perform any combination of two of more unit operations described herein or known in the art.

The chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membrane(s) present in the MCCS2 can be connected or moved with respect to each other by a switching mechanism (e.g., a column-switching mechanism). The MCCS2 can also include one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or five) pumps (e.g., automated, e.g., automated peristaltic pumps). The column-switching events can be triggered by the detection of a level of recombinant protein detected by UV absorbance corresponding to a certain level of recombinant protein in the fluid passing through the MCCS2 (e.g., the input into and/or eluate from one or more of the chromatography column(s) and/or chromatographic membranes in the MCCS2), a specific volume of liquid (e.g., buffer), or specific time elapsed.

The MCCS2 be a Periodic Counter-Current Chromatography system (i.e., PCCS2). For example, the PCCS2 can include three columns that perform the unit operation of purifying a recombinant protein from a fluid, and a chromatographic membrane that performs the unit operation of polishing a recombinant protein present in a fluid. For example, the three columns that perform the unit operation of purifying a recombinant protein from a fluid can include, e.g., a cationic exchange resin, and the chromatographic membrane that performs the unit operation of polishing can include a cationic exchange resin. A PCCS2 can utilize a column-switching mechanism. The PCCS2 can utilize a modified ÄKTA system (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.) capable of running up to, e.g., four, five, six, seven, or eight columns, or more.

The MCCS2 can be equipped with: one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) UV monitors, one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) valves, one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) pH meters, and/or one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) conductivity meters. The MCCS2 can also be equipped with an operating system that utilizes software (e.g., Unicorn-based software, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.) for sensing when a column-switching event should occur (e.g., based upon UV absorbance, volume of liquid, or time elapsed) and affecting the column-switching events.

The MCCS2 can further include one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, or twenty-four) in-line buffer adjustment reservoir(s) and/or a buffer reservoir(s). In other examples, the MCCS2 can include one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, or six) break tanks (e.g., any of the break tanks described herein) that can hold fluid that cannot readily pass into one or more of the chromatography columns and/or chromatographic membranes in the MCCS2.

The MCCS2 includes an outlet through which the therapeutic protein drug substance can exit the system. The outlet can include, e.g., a threading, ribbing, or a seal that allows for a fluid conduit to be inserted or a vial designed to hold or store the purified recombinant protein (e.g., therapeutic protein drug substance). An outlet can include a surface that can be used to seal a reduced bioburden vial or other such storage container onto the outlet in order to allow the purified recombinant protein (e.g., therapeutic protein drug substance) to flow directly into the reduced bioburden vial or storage container. Non-limiting outlets that can be used in the present systems are known and would be understood by those in the art.

The systems described herein can also include a fluid conduit that is disposed between the MCCS1 and the MCCS2. Any of the fluid conduits described herein can be, e.g., a tube that is made of, e.g., polyethylene, polycarbonate, or plastic. The fluid conduit disposed between the MCCS1 and the MCCS2 can further include one of more of the following in any combination: one or more in-line buffer adjustment reservoirs that are in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and are positioned such that the buffer stored within the in-line buffer adjustment reservoir(s) is added to the fluid present in the fluid conduit; a break tank (e.g., any of the break tank(s) described herein) that is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and is positioned such that it can hold any excess fluid present in the fluid conduit that is unable to readily feed into the MCCS2; and one or more filters that are disposed in the fluid conduit such that they are capable of filtering (e.g., removing bacteria) the fluid present in the fluid conduit. Any of the in-line buffer adjustment reservoirs can include, e.g., a volume of between about 0.5 L to 50 L of buffer (e.g., at a temperature at or below 25° C., 15° C., or 10° C.).

The systems described herein can optionally include a fluid conduit disposed between the final chromatography column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS2 and the outlet. The systems described herein can further include one or more filters in fluid connection with the fluid conduit disposed between the final chromatography column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS2 and the outlet, such that the filter can remove, e.g., precipitated material, particulate matter, or bacteria from the fluid present in the fluid conduit disposed between the final chromatography column or chromatographic membrane in the MCCS2 and the outlet.

Some examples of the systems provided herein also include a bioreactor that is in fluid connectivity with the inlet of the MCCS or MCCS1. Any of the exemplary bioreactors described herein or known in the art can be used in the present systems.

Some examples of the systems provided herein also include a pump system. A pump system can include one or more the following: one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) pumps (e.g., any of the pumps described herein or known in the art), one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or five) filters (e.g., any of the filters described herein or known in the art), one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) UV detectors, and one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or five) break tanks (e.g., any of the break tanks described herein). Some examples of the systems provided herein further include a fluid conduit disposed between the pump and the inlet of the MCCS or MCCS1 (e.g., any of the exemplary fluid conduits described herein or known in the art). In some examples, this particular fluid conduit can include one or more (e.g., two, three, or four) pumps (e.g., any of the pumps described herein or known in the art) and/or one or more (e.g., two, three, or four) break tanks (e.g., any of the exemplary break tanks described herein), where these pump(s) and/or break tank(s) are in fluid connection with the fluid present in the fluid conduit.

Some examples of the systems described herein further include a further fluid conduit connected to the fluid conduit between the pump and the inlet, where one end of the further fluid conduit is fluidly connected to a bioreactor and the other end is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit between the pump and the inlet. This further fluid conduit can include a filter that is capable of removing cells from the liquid culture medium removed from the bioreactor (e.g., ATF cell retention system).

The systems provided herein allow for the continuous production of a purified recombinant protein (e.g., therapeutic protein drug substance). As is known in the art, the systems can provide for the periodic elution of a purified recombinant protein (e.g., therapeutic protein drug substance). The systems described herein can also result in a net yield of purified recombinant protein (e.g., therapeutic protein drug substance) of at least about 5 g/day, at least about 10 g/day, at least about 15 g/day, at least about 20 g/day, at least about 30 g/day, or at least about 40 g/day over a continuous period of at least about 5 days, at least about 10 days, at least about 15 days, at least about 20 days, at least about 25 days, at least about 30 days, at least about 40 days, at least about 50 days, at least about 60 days, at least about 70 days, at least about 80 days, at least about 90 days, or least about 100 days.

The invention is further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

Examples Example 1 Effect of Gamma-Irradiation on Chromatography Resin Binding Capacity at t0

A set of experiments was performed to study the effect of gamma-irradiation on the binding capacity of a bimodal chromatography resin having both anionic exchange and hydrophobic properties (AE resin). The AE resin used in these experiments was Capto Adhere (GE Healthcare Life Sciences), which has a ligand of N-benzyl-N-methyl ethanolamine, an average particle size of 75 μm, and an ionic capacity of 0.09-0.12 mmol Cl⁻¹/mL medium. The AE resin was either left untreated (virgin) or treated to reduce the resin's bioburden (exposed to 25 kGy gamma-irradiation). Irradiation was performed using 0.2 mL of resin slurried in 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0.

The amount of protein (Fabrazyme®) bound to untreated AE resin (in liquid culture medium) and 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin at t0 (with no chromatography runs) was determined at different target protein (Fabrazyme®) concentrations. FIG. 1 shows the binding isotherms at t0 for the untreated and 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin. These data show that the binding of target protein does not change after gamma-irradiation of resin at t0.

Example 2 Effect of Gamma-Irradiation on Chromatography Resin Binding Capacity over Multiple Cycles and Use of Denaturing Buffers to Mitigate the Loss in Binding Capacity

Experiments were performed to test the effect of gamma-irradiation on the binding capacity of chromatography resin over multiple cycles. In multi-column chromatography, each of the columns used is loaded with protein (Fabrazyme® in liquid culture medium) to its binding capacity. Column equilibration and washing was performed with 20 mM MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid), pH 7.0. Elution buffer, 200 mM arginine, 270 mM MES, 20% ethylene glycol pH 7.5 was used to elute the bound protein from the columns. In order to test the performance of gamma-irradiated chromatography resin over its entire lifecycle in this Example, columns containing untreated AE or 25 kGy gamma-irradiated chromatography resin (prepared as described in Example 1) were cycled using a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS) or single columns were used to perform repeated cycles of chromatography under conditions mimicking MCCS conditions (each column was loaded to its static binding capacity, before washing and elution were performed). Each of the wash and eluting steps in the experiments described in this Example were performed in a step-wise fashion.

Multiple cycles of column chromatography were performed using a single chromatography column including the AE resin (virgin, 15 kGy gamma-irradiated, or 25 kGy gamma-irradiated resin) and a wash buffer of 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed with a solution of 1 N NaOH (after elution of the recombinant protein) in each cycle. The percentage of normalized binding capacity (as compared to the untreated (virgin) resin at t0) over multiple cycles was determined. The data from these experiments show that while the binding capacity for both the untreated and gamma-irradiated resin are similar at t0, the binding capacity of the untreated and gamma-irradiated resin show a different rate of decrease in binding capacity over multiple cycles of chromatography (FIG. 2). While the virgin resin shows a decrease in binding capacity over multiple cycles of chromatography, the gamma-irradiated resin shows a more dramatic decrease in binding capacity over multiple cycles of chromatography (FIG. 2). The calculated rate of drop in binding capacity for each resin is this set of experiments is also shown in FIG. 3. These data demonstrate that the use of gamma-irradiation to reduce the bioburden of chromatography results in a decrease in the binding capacity of the resin that becomes progressively worse over multiple cycles of chromatography.

Sets of experiments were performed to determine whether a variety of denaturing buffers could be used to recover the lost binding capacity of gamma-irradiated chromatography resin. In these experiments, cycles of chromatography performed using the virgin (untreated) AE resin were performed using a wash buffer of 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed with a solution of 1 N NaOH (low pH arginine). Cycles of chromatography were also performed using the 25 kGy gamma-irradiated resin using one of the following combinations of buffers for washing the resin after elution of the recombinant protein in each cycle: 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5, followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH (low pH urea); 6 M guanidine HCl (pH 2.5), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH (or 1 M NaOH+1 M NaCl) (low pH guanidine); 0.5% Triton-X 100 in 0.1 M acetic acid (pH 2.5), followed by a solution of 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH (low pH Triton); 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5), followed by a solution of 1 N NaOH (low pH organic); or 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), followed with a solution of 1 N NaOH (low pH arginine). The normalized percentage binding capacity (normalized to the binding capacity of virgin (untreated) resin at t=0), the percentage recovery of recombinant protein (relative to the amount of recombinant protein present in the fluid loaded onto the resin) per cycle, and the levels of host cell protein (ng/mg) present in the eluate per cycle were determined. The data in FIG. 4 show that all of tested denaturing buffers were able to mitigate the loss in binding capacity of the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, except for 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) and 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0). The data in FIG. 4 show that all of the denaturing buffers, except for 0.7 M acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol (pH 2.5) and 700 mM arginine, 100 mM acetate (pH 3.0), are able to efficiently clean gamma-irradiated chromatography resin and maintain the binding capacity of gamma-irradiated chromatography resin over multiple cycles of chromatography.

The data in FIG. 6 show that all of the tested denaturing buffers result in a steady percentage recovery of the recombinant protein bound to gamma-irradiated chromatography resin per cycle over multiple cycles. The data in FIG. 6 show that each of the tested denaturing buffers was able to recover whatever amount of protein was bound to the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin per cycle to a similar extent. The data in FIG. 7 show that the use of the various tested denaturing buffers result in acceptable levels of host cell protein in the recombinant protein eluate in each cycle.

The denaturing buffer used in each cycle was thought to recover the binding capacity of the gamma-irradiated chromatography resin by releasing tightly bound proteins from the resin. A representative chromatographs of multiple cycles of chromatography performed using three chromatography columns including 25 kGy gamma-irradiated AE resin, washed with 8 M urea, 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M citric acid, pH 2.5, and a solution of 1 N NaOH after elution of the recombinant protein (after each cycle) were recorded (FIG. 5). The chromatographs show that the treatment of the gamma-irradiated resin with the denaturing buffer resulted in the release of a substantially the same amount of protein from the gamma-irradiated resin in each of the three chromatography columns over multiple cycles (see arrows in FIG. 5).

In sum, these data show that different denaturing buffers can be used to recover the binding capacity of gamma-irradiated chromatography resin to achieve expected performance.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of performing chromatography with gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, comprising: (a) providing a chromatography column containing a gamma-irradiated chromatography resin; (b) performing a first cycle of chromatography through the column, wherein the cycle includes exposing the chromatography resin to a denaturing buffer; and (c) performing at least one additional cycle of chromatography through the column.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the cycles in (b) and/or (c) comprises the steps of: (a) capturing a recombinant protein by exposing the chromatography resin with a liquid containing a recombinant protein; (b) washing the chromatography resin by exposing the chromatography resin with a wash buffer; (c) eluting the recombinant protein by exposing the chromatography resin with an elution buffer; and (d) regenerating the chromatography resin by exposing the chromatography resin to the denaturing buffer.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the liquid containing a recombinant protein is a liquid culture medium.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycles in (b) and (c) are performed using a closed and integrated system.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the buffer is reduced bioburden buffer.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the reduced bioburden buffer is prepared by filtration.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the denaturing buffer comprises one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycle of (b) further includes exposing the chromatography resin to wash buffer comprising about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to the denaturing buffer.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the column is part of a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS).
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the MCCS is a periodic counter current chromatography system (PCCS).
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin, cationic exchange chromatography resin, size exclusion chromatography resin, hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin, affinity chromatography resin, or any combination thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 10 kGy to about 40 kGy.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 15 kGy to about 35 kGy.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 20 kGy to about 30 kGy.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein four or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein nine or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein fourteen or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein nineteen or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein twenty-four or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein twenty-nine or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein thirty-nine or more additional cycles of chromatography are performed.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) is performed continuously over a period of at least 4 days.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein (c) is performed continuously over a period of at least 5 days.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein (c) is performed continuously over a period of at least 7 days.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein (c) is performed continuously over a period of at least 14 days.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein (c) is performed continuously over a period of at least 28 days.
 28. The method of claim 2, wherein the recombinant protein is a recombinant therapeutic protein.
 29. An integrated, closed, and continuous process for manufacturing of a purified recombinant protein comprising: (a) providing a liquid culture medium comprising a recombinant protein that is substantially free of cells; and (b) continuously feeding the liquid culture medium into a multi-column chromatography system (MCCS) comprising at least one chromatography column containing gamma-irradiated chromatography resin, wherein the chromatography resin is exposed during each cycle to denaturing buffer; wherein the process utilizes reduced bioburden buffer, is integrated, and runs continuously from the liquid culture medium to an eluate from the MCCS that is the purified recombinant protein.
 30. The process of claim 29, wherein the MCCS performs at least two different unit operations.
 31. The process of claim 30, wherein the use of the MCCS involves column switching.
 32. The process of claim 29, wherein all of the columns in the MCCS contain gamma-irradiated chromatography resin.
 33. The process of claim 29, wherein the MCCS performs the unit operations of capturing the recombinant protein and inactivating viruses.
 34. The process of claim 29, wherein the MCCS performs the unit operations of capturing and purifying the recombinant protein.
 35. The process of claim 29, wherein the MCCS is a periodic counter current chromatography system.
 36. The process of claim 29, wherein the MCCS includes a plurality of columns for affinity chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, or hydrophobic interaction chromatography, or any combination thereof.
 37. The process of claim 36, wherein the MCCS includes a column for affinity chromatography, and the affinity chromatography is performed with a capture mechanism selected from the group consisting of: protein A-binding capture mechanism, substrate-binding capture mechanism, antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, aptamer-binding capture mechanism, and cofactor-binding capture mechanism.
 38. The process of claim 37, wherein the affinity chromatography is performed with a protein-A binding capture mechanism, and the recombinant protein is an antibody or an antibody fragment.
 39. The process of claim 29, wherein the recombinant protein is a therapeutic recombinant protein.
 40. The process of claim 39, further comprising formulating the purified recombinant protein into a pharmaceutical composition.
 41. The process of claim 29, wherein the denaturing buffer comprises one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100.
 42. The method of claim 29, wherein the chromatography resin is exposed to wash buffer comprising about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to denaturing buffer in each cycle.
 43. An integrated, closed, and continuous process for manufacturing of a recombinant protein comprising: (a) providing a liquid culture medium comprising a recombinant protein that is substantially free of cells; (b) continuously feeding the liquid culture medium into a first multi-column chromatography system (MCCS1); (c) capturing the recombinant protein from the liquid culture medium using the MCCS1; (d) producing an eluate from the MCCS1 that comprises the recombinant protein and continuously feeding the eluate into a second multi-column chromatography system (MCCS2); (e) continuously feeding the recombinant protein from the eluate into the MCCS2 and subsequently eluting the recombinant protein to thereby produce the purified recombinant protein, wherein: the process utilizes reduced bioburden buffer, is integrated, and runs continuously from the liquid culture medium to the purified recombinant protein, and at least one column in the MCCS1 and/or MCCS2 is a chromatography column containing gamma-irradiated chromatography resin and the chromatography resin is exposed to denaturing buffer during each cycle in the process.
 44. The process of claim 43, wherein the MCCS1 and/or the MCCS2 performs at least two different unit operations.
 45. The process of claim 43, wherein the use of the MCCS1 or the MCCS2, or both, involves column switching.
 46. The process of claim 43, wherein the MCCS1 further performs the unit operations of capturing the recombinant protein and inactivating viruses.
 47. The process of claim 43, wherein the MCCS2 performs the unit operations of purifying and polishing the recombinant protein.
 48. The process of claim 43, wherein the MCCS1 and/or MCCS2 utilizes at least two chromatography columns.
 49. The process of claim 43, wherein all of the chromatography column(s) in MCCS1 and MCCS2 are chromatography columns containing gamma-irradiated chromatography resin.
 50. The process of claim 43, wherein the MCCS1 is a first periodic counter current chromatography system (PCCS1).
 51. The process of claim 43, wherein the capturing is performed using affinity chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, or size exclusion chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, or any combination thereof.
 52. The process of claim 51, wherein capturing is performed using affinity chromatography with a capture mechanism selected from the group consisting of: protein A-binding capture mechanism, substrate-binding capture mechanism, antibody- or antibody fragment-binding capture mechanism, aptamer-binding capture mechanism, and cofactor-binding capture mechanism.
 53. The process of claim 52, wherein the affinity chromatography is performed with a protein A-binding capture mechanism, and the recombinant protein is an antibody or an antibody fragment.
 54. The process of claim 43, wherein the MCCS2 is a second periodic counter current (PCCS2) chromatography system.
 55. The process of claim 43, wherein the recombinant protein is a therapeutic recombinant protein.
 56. The process of claim 55, further comprising formulating the purified recombinant protein into a pharmaceutical composition.
 57. The process of claim 29 or 43, wherein the process is performed continuously for a period of at least 4 days.
 58. The process of claim 57, wherein the process is performed continuously for a period of at least 5 days.
 59. The process of claim 58, wherein the process is performed continuously for a period of at least 7 days.
 60. The process of claim 59, wherein the process is performed continuously for a period of at least 14 days.
 61. The process of claim 59, wherein the process is performed continuously for a period of at least 28 days.
 62. The process of claim 29 or 43, wherein the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin, cationic exchange chromatography resin, size exclusion chromatography resin, hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin, affinity chromatography resin, or any combination thereof.
 63. The process of claim 62, wherein the chromatography resin is anionic exchange chromatography resin.
 64. The process of claim 29 or 43, wherein the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 10 kGy to about 40 kGy.
 65. The process of claim 64, wherein the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 15 kGy to about 35 kGy.
 66. The process of claim 65, wherein the chromatography resin has been treated with a dose of gamma-irradiation between about 20 kGy to about 30 kGy.
 67. The process of claim 43, wherein the denaturing buffer comprises one or more of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and Triton™ X-100.
 68. The method of claim 43, wherein the chromatography resin is exposed to a wash buffer comprising about 0.5 M to about 1.5 M sodium hydroxide following exposure to the denaturing buffer. 